‘Hindus on a Rock’: A socio-geographical analysis of the Sindhi community of Gibraltar and its diaspora from modern-day Pakistan

James Peck
School of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University
2013

Abstract

The Sindhis of Gibraltar derive their traditions from being part of the global Sindhi sect that originates from the Sindh region of Pakistan. Theologically associated with Hinduism and Sikhism, Sindhis held many important jobs before and during British colonial rule of the Sindh region especially as merchants trading across the British Empire. In new locales across the world, Sindhi communities were established that had social, economic and spiritual connections to their family and cultural roots in the Sindh. These communities have expanded in size since many Sindhis left modern-day Pakistan for these locales during the Partition of India in 1947. Primary research was conducted in Gibraltar to understand how its Sindhi community has integrated into this state’s national social and economic fabric. The data collected from semi-structured interviews suggests that the Sindhis of Gibraltar have taken full advantage of the job prospects and good quality of life available. These findings also suggest, however, that their cultural and religious beliefs and traditions are being undermined by these same positive outcomes. The Sindhi community of Gibraltar has attempted to reduce the risk of total cultural homogenization into Gibraltarian society by increasing their reverence for their spiritual and historical origins and an appreciation for what makes their culture unique. The diaspora (the emigration of people from their country) of Sindhis to Gibraltar has provided both people and cultural products which this community has utilized to create an emphasized Sindhi identity that will guide its future prospects.

Author profile

Correspondence address: jamespeck100@googlemail.com

Keywords

Gibraltar, diaspora, focus groups, Sindhiyat, identity, homeland

‘Hindus on a Rock’: A socio-geographical analysis of the Sindhi community of Gibraltar and its diaspora from modern-day Pakistan by James Peck is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Creative Commons Attribution

Based on a work at geoverse.brookes.ac.uk.

Original Papers - Geoverse
ISSN 1758-3411
Editor-in-Chief: Professor Helen Walkington