The turban is a wrap of fabric around the head. Worn since Antiquity and in particular, by the Persians, the turban is present in all cultures and crosses history. A religious marker, it is nonetheless a fashion accessory. In the Middle Ages, It was during the end of the 18th century and the attraction for Eastern cultures, that the turban became an essential accessory in the wardrobe of Western women. The turban is nonetheless originally a male accessory. , useful for the representation of power, useful against the sun, useful vis-à-vis religion. It is therefore a universal male attribute, subsequently taken up in the female wardrobe.
The Origins
The origins of turbans are uncertain. Some of the ancient civilizations such as those of ancient India, Mesopotamia, Sumerians, and Babylonians obviously used turbans.
Traditionally, the turban is the name of a type of head covering worn by women in Western countries. The wearing of these turbans by women in Western societies is less common than at the beginning of the 20th century. They are usually sewn together, so they don’t need to be rolled up and can be easily put on and taken off.
Western Europe
In Western Europe, the turban appeared thanks to the great trade routes to India, the Silk Road, then the Americas. It is thanks to these roads that Europe has opened up to all the cultures of the world. Tobacco, sugar, spices were imported. Art from elsewhere and therefore fashion, naturally imported into Western Europe. The late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries with the rise of Orientalism and the great fashion of Egypt (thanks to the Napoleonic campaigns in Egypt) mark the change of the cloakroom of the turban, from men to women.
Greece
In Greece, especially on the island of Crete, men traditionally wear a turban called a sariki. The name of the headgear is borrowed from sarık, the Turkish word for turban. Today it is more commonly referred to as kritiko mandili (Cretan handkerchief). It is not commonly found in younger generations, but rather in older men in the more remote mountainous villages.
Horn of Africa
Turbans are commonly worn in the Horn of Africa by Muslim clerics, as well as Ethiopian Orthodox Christian priests. The headgear has a long presence in the region, where it has often been worn by sultans, wazirs, and other aristocratic and judicial officials.
Arabian Peninsula
In most of the countries of the Arabian Peninsula, plaid or checkered scarf (called a keffiyeh, ghutrah, shumagh or chefiyah) is often worn, as a turban is often worn, although the tradition of Arab Emama remains strong in Oman
Afghanistan
Turbans are part of the national dress in Afghanistan. They are used more widely here than elsewhere in the Muslim world and are worn in a wide variety of styles and colors. In the southeast of the country, turbans are wrapped loosely and largely, while in Kabul clothes tend to be smaller and tighter. In traditional Afghan society, an extra piece of cloth called a patu is used for practical purposes, such as covering up against the cold, sitting down, tying up an animal, or carrying water in its cap. Different ethnic groups in Afghanistan wear different pants, with different patterns, styles, fabrics, stripes, lengths, and colors.
Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, the turban is called pagri or fa*gri in Chittagong and Sylhet. The pagri is worn by religious leaders and preachers of Islam. The most common color is white and it is usually the Sufis who wear the green turban. Elders in rural areas also wear it as a symbol of honor and respect.
India
In India, the turban is called pagri, that is, the headdress worn by men and tied in the hand. There are several styles, specific to the region or religion of the wearer, and they vary in shape, size and color. It is a common practice to honor important guests by providing them with one to wear.
For the Maharaja, the turban is a sign of unchallenged power. The larger the turban, the more powerful the maharaja. Their turban are usually embellished with sumptuous jewelry to accentuate their power.
In religion
Christianity
In Kenya, the Akurinu, a Christian denomination, wear a turban as a religious head covering. The official name of the denomination is the Kenyan Church of the Prophets’ Foundation or the Church of the Holy Spirit. Both men and women wear white turbans; children wear tunics.
Islam
It has different names according to region and culture. Examples include (Arabic: عمامة `emãmah) in Arabic, (Persian: دستار) in Persian.
In Shia Islam, the descendants of Prophet Muhammad, wear a blackhead around a small white cap and the white turbans of other well-educated and learned people. Sufi Muslims often wear a green headcover around a small bonnet or the green head cover alone.
Judaism
When the Jewish high priest served in the tabernacle and temple in Jerusalem, he wore a headdress called a mitznefet. This word has been translated as miter (KJV) or hairstyle. It was most likely a turban, as the word comes from a root meaning “to wrap”.
In the Hebrew Bible, the turban worn by the high priest was much larger than the headgear of the priests and was wounded to form a wide, flat shape resembling the flower of a flower. The headgear of the priests was different, being rolled up to form a cone called a migbahat.
The priestly crown (Hebrew tzitz צִיץ “flower”) was attached to the turban by means of two blue cords: one on the top of the head and the other on the sides of the head at the level of the ears.
Jews who lived under Arab rule in the Middle Ages, especially in Islamic Spain, wore turbans and headwear not much different from their Muslim counterparts.
Sikhism
The Sikh turban, known as Dastar or Dumalla or “Pagg” (cultural name), is used to show others that they represent the embodiment of Sikh teachings, guru love and dogma to accomplish good actions. The main reason why Sikhs wear the turban is that it allows anyone in society, regardless of religion, race, caste, etc., to easily identify a Sikh, male or female, so that if an individual is in danger or needs help. , they could easily spot a fellow Sikh in the crowd, tasked with saving and protecting them. The Gurus ensured that both men and women were able to wear a turban, which is a testament to yet another equality action. The turban has other purposes of protecting the long, uncut hair of Sikhs and keeping it clean. Wearing a turban is compulsory for all members of Khalsa (Initiated Sikhs).
