Thursday 17 January 2013

Top Seven Uses Of A Turban Hat

By Annabelle Newton


In the deserts of Rajasthan, India there was a great monarchy. The monarchy was ruled by the revered Rajput kings who led with an iron fist. The turban hat, traditionally referred to as safa or pagari, is all that remains of their hierarchy. The safa is a ten meter long, one meter wide piece of cloth that is commonly seen on the heads of Indian men. The cloth is a strong part of Indian culture, music and tradition.

Most people know the safa as a traditional Middle Eastern hat. When worn on the head, it is a symbol of caste and class. It shows that the wearer demands respect and shows their place in life. Colored hats with intricate bead work may signify fun and vitality and are likely to be donned by young men. Older men show affluence by wearing safas with a single color and expensive fabric.

The religious nature attached to the pagari cannot be understated. In many Middle Eastern cultures, the traditional headband is worn for religious purposes. For instance, Sikhs who do not cut their hair in respect for God, keep it covered with a cloth. Muslims also wear the headpiece as a sign of their devotion and humility. The different color cloths hold different meanings to different individuals. A white safa signifies purity according to Islam, while the green one represents paradise.

Considering that Rajasthan is a hot desert, it may at times beat sense why there is need for extra clothing. However, as you may know, desert temperatures drop significantly at night to near freezing degrees. In such instances, the cloth is unwound and used as a blanket to cover the holder. Furthermore, the harsh wind during the day carries a lot of dust that can only be avoided by use of a pagari.

In a desert as hot as Rajasthan, not much work can be done when the sun is high. During such times, men use their clothes as pillows or a source of shade from the sun. An unwound cloth can provide a lot of shade and could even serve as a small tent.

Other than that, the hat can be used as a sack to carry small objects such as pens, tobacco, penknives and money. Being a half nomadic tribe, the people of Rajasthan have to be regularly on the move. In big towns, the headband has gained notoriety as a hiding place for stolen goods such as mobile phones. In restaurants, waiters and attendants utilize the headgear to put their tips.

Considering that a vast part of Rajasthan is a desert, it is difficult to find water. Other than oases, the only other source is deep wells. The cloth is used to draw and strain water from these underground caves. The technique involves tying the cloth to a bucket and lowering it to the underground reservoir.

In terms of defense, the turban hat could also be used as an armament. An ancient rogue religious sect known as the Thugees, was particularly notorious for asphyxiating travelers and robbing strangers. Furthermore, the cloth can also serve as a sling.




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