Senior Religious Studies and Anthropology double major Styrling Rohr conducted ethnographic research at a Sikh gurudwara, studying sacred music, Sikh-American identity, and multifaith relations.
Name: Styrling Rohr
Majors: Religious Studies and Anthropology
Minors: Asian Studies and Middle East Studies
Faculty mentor: Amy Allocco, Associate Professor of Religious Studies
Title of research project: Devotional Music and Multifaith Encounter in a North Carolina Sikh Community
Drawing on two years of ethnographic research with a local Sikh community, I investigated the role of Sikh sacred music and the character of Sikh-American identity and modern multifaith concerns. I found that Sikh music is as much a devotional experience as it is a tool to learn and unite, that Sikhs in North Carolina are especially concerned with self-representation and raising awareness, and that the multifaith themes which guided Sikhism’s formation continue to inform this community. My research resulted in five presentations, three journal articles, one short popular piece, a seven-minute video completed in association with a Sikh community, a photo exhibition currently on display at Elon, a separate study about Elon residents’ knowledge of Sikhs, and a curriculum module for professors.
In other words:
I conducted two years of ethnographic research at a Sikh temple (gurudwara) asking about sacred music, Sikh-American identity, and multifaith relations. As part of a larger goal to raise awareness about Sikhs, I wrote articles, filmed a video, curated an exhibit, separately studied what Elon residents know about Sikhs, and created a curriculum module with three model classes about Sikhs.
What made this topic interesting to you? How did you get started on your research?
As an Elon College Fellow, I was planning to do research. After taking “Hindu Traditions” my first semester, I desperately wanted to learn more about India. I also wanted to do ethnographic research and hear about peoples’ experiences in person. When I first went to the Sikh Gurudwara of North Carolina during the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience, I met such wonderful people. I wanted to know them better.
How has your Religious Studies faculty mentor shaped your experience?
Dr. Allocco has helped me find a community, answered countless questions, and done everything to make my work better. She pushes me and I could not have done any of this without her.
Where can we learn more about your research?
Until the end of the semester, you can visit the Isabella Cannon Room in the Center for the Arts where you can see a part of my research in the form of a photo exhibit. Also if you would like to learn about Sikhs in an introductory format or integrate Sikhism into your classes, you can visit http://teachaboutsikhs.elonimedia.org where you will find three model classes concerning Sikh 101, Music, and Political History. Eventually, I hope that my articles will be published in journals as well.