vak

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In Sikh worship, a random reading from the Guru Granth Sahib (holy book). It is taken from the top left-hand corner of whatever page falls open. A vak both begins and ends the gurdwara service, and is regarded as guidance for the day. Sikhs may also read a vak at the beginning of their day at home. It is taken as a manifestation of the divine order of the universe.

In the naming ceremony (Nam Karan), the first letter of the child's name will be the first letter of a hymn found by making a vak.

Green, yellow, and red are the pan-African colours. The flag is modelled on the French tricolour. The design was identical to the Rwandan tricolour, obliging that country to modify its flag. Effective date: 1 March 1961. >>