Traditional Methods For Using The Turban Hat

By Annabelle Newton


The vast deserts of Rajasthan, India hold a dark history. Once ruled by the merciless Rajput kings, Rajasthan is now a desert that speaks of despicable poverty and misery. The fading ruins and turban hat are all that remind us of this ancient history. The hat, traditionally known as pagari or safa is now a common piece of head gear, not only in India and Middle East, but all over the world. This classy piece of cloth speaks of a strong Indian heritage, tradition and culture. Other than that, it had numerous uses in society.

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.

With the knowledge that most days in Rajasthan are ruled by the scorching sun, it may puzzle an ordinary man why the need for additional clothing. The answer is simple. At night, the temperatures in the desert fall rapidly and it becomes necessary to have an additional piece of warmth. As the day breaks and the sun rises, the pagari is progressively tied to the upper layers of the head.

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.

For certain types of men, the headband is a store. In this lengthy piece of cloth, one may be surprised to find items like pens, money and tobacco. Pickpockets in major towns hide their stolen wares in the cloth. As a result of the religious attachment, it is hard to force an individual to take of their hat. In the tourism and hospitality circle, the hat is used to fix tips from patrons.

Furthermore, the cloth is useful in drawing water from underground wells. It is difficult to find terrestrial sources of water in a hot desert such as Rajasthan. The men tie buckets to the unfolded pagari and use it to fetch water for domestic use, irrigation and for animals.

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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