Celebrating Raksha Bandhan
This article will take approximately 2 minutes to read
Published 27 Jul 2022 in Raising Awareness
Read our update today from EmbRACE working group member, Ramz Sandhu, who shares an insight into the festival celebration of Raksha Bandhan. Celebrated by millions across the world, it takes place on 11 August this year.
What is Raksha Bandhan?
Raksha Bandhan, also known as Rakhi Purnima or Rakhi, is a Hindu/Sikh significant day that focuses on the love and duty between brothers and sisters. Raksha means ‘Protection’ and Bandhan means ‘Tie’.
It is celebrated where the sister will tie a thread around their brother’s wrist in return of a promise of protection. The sisters then tend to receive a gift, or money and then give something sweet.
The blessed day that ties a bond between a brother and sister but isolated me as a South Asian Woman.
Growing up as 1 of 3 sisters, when it came around to this time of year, I would always hear ‘It’s such a shame that they haven’t been blessed with brothers’, ‘Who will they be tying their Rakhri on?’ and ‘Who will protect them?’. A boy is deemed as priceless, the ‘pot of gold at the end of the rainbow’. He will carry on the family name, and is seen as strong and powerful…but why not girls? I can be a protector to my sisters, I have the duty to love and support them.
This then changed my whole view of the expectations of a South Asian woman living in a Punjabi household. I will carry out those duties that a son or a brother can do for their parents or siblings. This all really came about as I would hear family members say more often that they felt sorry for my parents, this gave me the ammunition that I needed to change their attitude.
And, I guess my answer to their questions is, my sisters are my ‘brothers’ and we forever have a promise to protect and care for each other. This will live with us always!
I’m very fortunate that I have been blessed with my own child, the first boy in our family of girls, and I feel it is very important to educate him to love and protect all regardless of whether they are his brother or sister. This is my step into trying to make a change!
Happy Raksha Bandhan and Rakhri to all those celebrating!