Turban

A turban is a type of headwear created through the process of cloth winding. It is a versatile garment used by diverse communities across the globe. People wear turbans for cultural, religious, and practical reasons. Some styles are simple and functional for daily protection. Other versions are elaborate and serve formal or ceremonial purposes.

The specific method of wrapping can indicate a wearer's social status, marital status, or regional identity.

The mechanism of a turban involves wrapping lengths of fabric around the head. In some traditions, the cloth is wound directly around the hair or a base cap. In other styles, a long piece of fabric is wrapped around a foundation to create shape. For example, the Kurdish jamadani often consists of a striped cloth called a kolāḡī wound around a conical hat. In some cases, the tassels of the cloth are left to hang over the face. This wrapping process can result in many different shapes, sizes, and textures.

There are many distinct types of turbans used around the world. In the Indian subcontinent, the pagri is a manually tied headdress that symbolizes honor. In Rajasthan, the safa or parna is a traditional version integral to local identity. Sikhism features the dastar, also known as the dumalla, which represents equality and religious devotion. Female Sikhs may wear a keski, which uses a cloth roughly half the length of a single turban. In Albania, highlanders wear the shall, a white cloth over three meters long, often over a felt cap called a qeleshe.

History shows that turbans have been used for thousands of years. The earliest known depiction is found on a Mesopotamian sculpture from 2350 BCE. During the period of 400–600 CE, soldiers in the Byzantine army wore a style called the phakeolis. In the 10th century, Greek frescoes in Cappadocia depicted civilians wearing turbans. The Islamic prophet Muhammad, who lived from 570 to 632, introduced the imama style. This involved a cap with cloth tied around it, a look emulated by many Muslim kings and scholars throughout history.

The significance of turban color and style is often deeply meaningful. In India, saffron represents valor or sacrifice, while white signifies peace for elders. In Bangladesh, green turbans are often worn by Sufis. Among Shia Muslims, clerics wear white turbans unless they are descendants of Muhammad, in which case they wear black. In North Africa, the blue shade of a Tuareg-Berber tagelmust helps block dust.

In Afghanistan, styles vary by location; turbans in Kabul are smaller and tighter than those in the southeast.

Specific historical examples highlight the diverse roles of this headwear. In Nepal, the white Shirpau turban was historically awarded to Gorkhali noblemen by the King. One nobleman, Sardar Ram Krishna Kunwar, was reportedly awarded 22 pairs of these headgears.

In the mid-19th century, some Akali Sikh turbans were tall and conical. These were designed to carry sharp steel weapons called chakrams.

In the United Kingdom, turbans were used by gentlemen between 1650 and 1750 when they were not wearing elaborate wigs.

Turbans connect to various social, religious, and even emergency systems. They serve as vital religious symbols for Sikhs, who make up 1.7% of India's population and 1.5% of Canada's. For these practitioners, the turban protects long, unshorn hair. Beyond religion, turbans have practical uses in modern life. They are used by women to protect hair following medical treatments. In emergency rescue situations, pieces of cloth can even be tied together to form a rope.