Gora (racial epithet)

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.

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, as well as one in Chillianwala, the site of a famous battle involving the British East India Company.

According to the Natyasastra, an Indian text, the term refers to "yellowish-reddish". Because of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's explicitly yellow skin, he was termed "Gauranga".

Equivalent terms for Ethnic groups west of the indus river

The only ethnic groups living here that would use Gora are Hindkowans, as other languages of non-indo-aryan origin lack the word Gora. Instead terms like Farangi is used to denote Europeans. "Sur" means red, and Sur Farangi means "red-skinned foreigner", which denotes the pinkish tint on light skin of Northern European peoples in contrast to the olive complexion of the natives. The indegenous ethnic groups residing at the edge of the Iranain plateau are chiefly of Mediterranean complexion, maintaining that most have dark hair, dark eyes and a swarthy complexion though frequencies of light hair, light skin and eyes can occur.

Attractiveness/Beauty

Light or pale skin or being Gora is trait for beauty for females among many ethnic groups in the Indian subcontinent and Iranian plateau where white women are sought for, however it is not desirable for the males for which a tanned complexion is preferred.

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. 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.

See also

Farangi