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'''Gora''' (or '''gaura''') is a [[South Asian]] adjective for a yellow-skinned or light-brown person, whether from [[India]], [[Pakistan]] or other regions. The word literally means "white" or "fair-skinned" in [[Indo-Aryan languages]] like [[Hindustani language|Hindustani]] (Hindi-Urdu), and [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]. It also refers to [[Europeans]]. |
'''Gora''' (or '''gaura''') is a [[South Asian]] adjective for a yellow-skinned or light-brown person, whether from [[India]], [[Pakistan]] or other regions. The word literally means "white" or "fair-skinned" in [[Indo-Aryan languages]] like [[Hindustani language|Hindustani]] (Hindi-Urdu), and [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]. It also refers to [[Europeans]]. |
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Gora is typically not used by ethnic groups west of the indus river comprising of Pashtuns, Balochis and several other ethic groups, due to the fact that they their languages not classed as Indo-Aryan, and the indegenous populations there are of [[mediterranean race|mediterranean]] complexion, making them significantly fairer than ethnic groups east of the indus river yet darker than nordic complexion of northern europeans, as such, the term "farangi" is used instead to refer to British people and other northern european nationalities. |
Gora is typically not used by ethnic groups west of the indus river comprising of [[Pashtuns]], [[Balochis]] and several other ethic groups, due to the fact that they their languages not classed as Indo-Aryan thus lack the term "gora" in their native lexicon, and the indegenous populations there are racially of [[mediterranean race|mediterranean]] complexion, making them significantly fairer than ethnic groups east of the indus river yet darker than nordic complexion of northern europeans, as such, the term "farangi" is used instead to refer to British people and other northern european nationalities. Occasionally, a few Pashtuns, Baloch-Brahui,Dardic peoples(notably [[Kalash]]) and other groups in such regions may be born with a Nordic appearance and thus be colliqualy called a Farangi or Gora with their appearance ressembling Northern Europeans such as the British. |
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Although the word distinctly means "yellowish", it is sometimes used informally to include any light-skinned person, whether light-brown, yellow or even white. In place names that date back to the colonial era - there are a number of graveyards in Pakistan such as the Gora Qabristan (the lighter-skinned graveyard) in [[Peshawar]],<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/weekly/dmag/archive/050612/dmag7.htm A vanishing landmark]</ref> the Gora Kabrastan in [[Karachi]],<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/weekly/review/archive/031002/review6.htm Grave business]</ref> as well as one in [[Chillianwala]], the site of a [[Battle of Chillianwala|famous battle]] involving the [[British East India Company]].<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/weekly/dmag/archive/030824/dmag11.htm Battlefields of Chillianwallah]</ref> |
Although the word distinctly means "yellowish", it is sometimes used informally to include any light-skinned person, whether light-brown, yellow or even white. In place names that date back to the colonial era - there are a number of graveyards in Pakistan such as the Gora Qabristan (the lighter-skinned graveyard) in [[Peshawar]],<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/weekly/dmag/archive/050612/dmag7.htm A vanishing landmark]</ref> the Gora Kabrastan in [[Karachi]],<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/weekly/review/archive/031002/review6.htm Grave business]</ref> as well as one in [[Chillianwala]], the site of a [[Battle of Chillianwala|famous battle]] involving the [[British East India Company]].<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/weekly/dmag/archive/030824/dmag11.htm Battlefields of Chillianwallah]</ref> |
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Revision as of 04:45, 3 February 2013
Gora (or gaura) is a South Asian adjective for a yellow-skinned or light-brown person, whether from India, Pakistan or other regions. The word literally means "white" or "fair-skinned" in Indo-Aryan languages like Hindustani (Hindi-Urdu), and Punjabi. It also refers to Europeans.
Gora is typically not used by ethnic groups west of the indus river comprising of Pashtuns, Balochis and several other ethic groups, due to the fact that they their languages not classed as Indo-Aryan thus lack the term "gora" in their native lexicon, and the indegenous populations there are racially of mediterranean complexion, making them significantly fairer than ethnic groups east of the indus river yet darker than nordic complexion of northern europeans, as such, the term "farangi" is used instead to refer to British people and other northern european nationalities. Occasionally, a few Pashtuns, Baloch-Brahui,Dardic peoples(notably Kalash) and other groups in such regions may be born with a Nordic appearance and thus be colliqualy called a Farangi or Gora with their appearance ressembling Northern Europeans such as the British.
Although the word distinctly means "yellowish", it is sometimes used informally to include any light-skinned person, whether light-brown, yellow or even white. In place names that date back to the colonial era - there are a number of graveyards in Pakistan such as the Gora Qabristan (the lighter-skinned graveyard) in Peshawar,[1] the Gora Kabrastan in Karachi,[2] as well as one in Chillianwala, the site of a famous battle involving the British East India Company.[3]
According to the Natyasastra, an Indian text, the term refers to "yellowish-reddish".[4] Because of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's explicitly yellow skin, he was termed "Gauranga".[5]
Usage in Britain and among anglophones on the Subcontinent
The term gora is often used by British Asians and among English-speaking South Asians in the Subcontinent to refer to white people, the feminine form being gori.[6][dead link] The plural term gore is also used to refer to white people of both genders. In this form it has taken on racial connotations so has acquired the status of a slur, though it is not inherently pejorative.
Usage in Sikhism
The term has been used to describe Sikhs of non-Punjabi descent, especially White Americans.[7]
References
- ^ A vanishing landmark
- ^ Grave business
- ^ Battlefields of Chillianwallah
- ^ Studies in the Nāṭyaśāstra : with special reference to the Sanskrit drama in performance, G.H. Tārḷekar, p. 138
- ^ P. 52 Chaitanya Mahaprabhu By Prem Lata
- ^ The Independent, 1 April 2004
- ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=YN9jC2_7UHYC&pg=PA985&lpg=PA985&dq=gora+sikhs+united+states&source=bl&ots=Bfint1_Hrt&sig=dEGyiSAjxd117ZpofR8cpYctX9I&hl=en&sa=X&ei=VIcqUJ2YAoHA6AHB74GoDQ&ved=0CEUQ6AEwBDgK#v=onepage&q=gora%20sikhs%20united%20states&f=false
See also
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