The Five Ks
Themes: Sikhism; celebrating world religions; the 5 Ks.
Summary: This assembly is ideal to use when celebrating world religions or international days. The Sikh New Year festival, ‘Baisakhi’ (also spelled ‘Vaisakhi’), is usually celebrated on 13th or 14th April. Sikhs also celebrate the Martyrdom of Guru Arjan (16th July), of Phalia Prakash Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (1st September) and of Bandi Chor Divas / Diwali (9th November).
Resources: an image of the 5 Ks to use as a prompt (see 'Key links')
Key links
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Assembly framework (pdf)
Print out the assembly framework ready for use
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Image - the 5 Ks
A visual reference for the 5 Ks
The video:
Taran and Joven explain what it means to be part of the Khalsa and share the 5 Ks and their definitions / uses. The name of each of the 5 Ks appears on screen as it is being defined:
- kara (bracelet)
- kachera (underclothes)
- kirpan (a small sword)
- kesh (hair)
- kanga (comb)
If sharing a sequence of videos about Sikhism, this video should be used after ’The importance of Sikh traditions’.
Duration: 3' 45"
End of speech: '...now, it's just, like, ready.'
Video questions
What does Khalsa mean?
In Punjabi 'Khalsa' means 'the pure'
What is ‘kara’?
It is a bracelet to show the connection to God. The bracelet is a circle and never-ending - no beginning or end - symbolising that God has no beginning or end
What is the ‘kachera’?
Underclothes - like long shorts - worn for modesty
What is the ‘kirpan’?
A small sword
When might a Sikh use a kirpan?
To defend others, or to protect oneself - but only if absolutely necessary
What is ‘kesh'?
Kesh is hair and Sikhs believe that hair is a gift from God so should not be cut
What is ‘kanga'?
A special wooden comb used to keep hair neat
How long is the cloth of Taran's turban?
About 8 metres
Suggested framework
| Content | Guidance |
|---|---|
| 1. Entry music | As the children enter you could play a song emphasising 'belonging' to sow seeds in the children’s minds - eg ‘Consider yourself’ (from the musical 'Oliver!'), ‘Proud’ (M People), 'We are family' (Sister Sledge). You can choose to display the image identifying the 5 Ks: ‘kara’, ‘kachera’, ‘kirpan’, ‘kesh’ and ‘kanga’. |
| 2. Introduction | Tell the children that today's assembly is in the form of a challenge - a challenge to remember the names of five things. Tell them that the five things are all important to a particular community - the Sikh community - and that to find out what they are we are going to watch a short video introduced by two Sikh boys: Taran and Roven. |
| 3. The video | Play the video. The duration is 3' 45". You can choose to pause the video at the appropriate times to emphasise each of the 5 Ks. You can choose to share the Video questions before watching or keep them for the subsequent discussion. Displaying the names of the 5 Ks (see 'Key links') will help children to recognise them when they appear in the video. |
| 4. After the video | Now for the challenge - ask the children if they can remember what the 5 Ks are? Choose five children to represent each one and see if children can remember what each word means. |
| 5. Time to talk | Move the discussion towards more universal considerations. The kara-bracelet is a symbol that God never ends. What else is a symbol for God in your eyes? Sikhs do not cut their hair. This might be hard to do. If you belong to a particular faith group, do you have any customs or beliefs that you sometimes find difficult to keep? Keeping them may require strong will-power. When have you been tested to show strong will-power..? |
| 6. Opportunity to sing | An opportunity to sing your chosen song. Suggestions from BBC collections below. |
| 7. Opportunity to reflect | The focus of the reflection is on ‘belonging and taking responsibility.’ Sikhs wear five different special items to show that they belong to the Khalsa. Whether we choose to wear special items or not we can share things that are important to Sikhs - such as taking responsibility for our world by acting in a particular way. Think about your role in society. What can you do to show others that you care about your community and the wider world. How will you reach out to others..? |
| 8. Opportunity for prayer | Use your standard form of address (Dear God, etc) and: ‘I hope that others see you in my thoughts, words and ways. I might not wear physical items to show my faith but let others see your values in my choices. May I have strength to make the right choices so that others see your beliefs in me. Amen.’ |
Suggested songs
| Song | Collection | Significant words |
|---|---|---|
| 'All together as a family' | All about our school, no 15 | 'All that we can do or be / All together as a family' |
