The Sikh, Kurdish, Indian And Arab Turban

By Dorothy Hurley


Turbans are common throughout the world. There are many different cultures that wear different types of turban. These include the Arab turban, the Sikh dastar, Rastafarian turbans, Indian turbans, North and East African turbans and much more. They have been worn for thousands of years. Muslim males wear them in emulation of the Prophet Mohammed as he wore a green, white or black turbans according to the scriptures.

Those who are considered to have descended from the Prophet Mohammed in the Shai Muslim tradition wear a black turban with a white cap called a topi. Scholarly men wear white turbans, and many other wear green ones together with the white topi.

In Islamic culture women do not wear turbans. They are considered a male part of dress. In many Arabic countries males will wear a scarf that is either checked or plain. These are known as keffiyeh, ghutrah or shunagh. Although these are not considered turbans they perform a similar function in Islamic culture, and are part of the traditions of the Annah.

Turbans are created by winding a long length of cloth around the head. The different shapes, sizes and colors of turbans often represent different cultural traditions. People wear them all over Arabic countries, South and Central Asia, North and East Africa and many other places. They are usually wound anew with each wearing. In Kenya the turban is wound in such a way so as to produce a sharp point at the top of the head.

The Sikh turban is probably the most recognizable style, these are quite large and look very formal and stylish. It is necessary for Sikhs to wear their turbans at all times during waking hours. Afghanistan has more people wearing turbans than anywhere else in the world. These are very large and are formed from a lot of material. They are also used as blankets, shawls and for tying up animals.

In Kurdistan the males wear a turban known as a Jamadani. These are worn in a way that is determined by the region of Kurdistan. The Barzani Kurds wear red or white turbans depending on their tribe. These turbans are formed from a length of striped or plain cloth and are wound around a conical hat that has tassels that hang down over the face. These turbans look very striking and beautiful.

Indian men wear turbans known as pagris. These turbans symbolize honor and respect and so they are given to honorable guests to wear at special occasions. They are usually white, pink or saffron colored. White pagris represent peace, pink represents valor and the saffron pagri represents rebirth and renewal.

Rastafarians also wear turbans. These ones are red gold and green in color and are very different from the Sikh, Afghan or Arab turbans. They are used to protect dreadlocks from damage and dirt. Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia also wear them and turbans were worn in European countries up until the 17th century by Christians. The famous poet Alexander Pope is seen wearing one in numerous pictures of him.




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