Let Us Appreciate The Indian Turban Hats For What They Are

By Kate McMahon


A turban is a piece of head clothing wrapped around the head to signify religious and personal beliefs. It is a garment that is widely worn in India. It is mainly worn by communities of a certain religious belief. However after the September 11 attacks in America many Indian Americans wearing the headgear have been discriminated against by the citizens there.The Indian Turban hats are however not very understood by people.

There have existed about sixty six head gears in the universe. In general the Hindus tend to reserve their headgears for significant occasions and ceremonies. The Sikh men however are required to wear the clothing all the time. Among the Sikhs this article is a representation of a lot of things among them honor, courage, self respect, spirituality and piety. This garment is generally identified by Sikh men although it is not uncommon to find women wearing the article.

In the Indian culture, the origin of this garment has not yet been established. In Sikhism it started when a Guru Sikh, Guru Angad Dev honored the new Guru, Guru Amar Das, by giving him the article after being chosen as the new Guru. The last human Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh also wrote in the scriptures that every Sikh man was required to comb their hair and wrap their turban a new on a daily basis.

In Sikhism and India as a whole the garment is used to signify many things, the first is spirituality and holiness. The second significance is honor and self respect. In the Punjabi community the only people who wore the article are those that served the community in the most selfless ways. It can also be used to signify responsibility. During the Rasam Pargi, a Northern India ceremony, the eldest son takes on the responsibility of the family when the father passes on. This is signified by the tying of a turban before a large gathering.

Piety and moral values are also signified by the head clothing. In times of war the Sikh warriors could hide in any house, even that of the womenfolk, from the womenfolk. They were trusted because they were expected to be nothing short of pure minds and piety. It is also a symbol of courage as it was mainly wore by warriors in times of war. It is also used to signify friendship. During pag vatauni, a custom, one exchanges their Turban with that of a close friend. This is usually a pledge to sharing the joy and sorrow of the other under any circumstances.

The garments have different styles of tying them depending on the occasion. The Chand Tora Dhalama for one is a style that is generally worn by Nihang Sikh men. It is mainly worn in times of battle.

After the September 11 attacks, people wearing the headgear started being discriminated against especially if they were bearded, like all Sikh men are. This was very frustrating to the Indian Americans who have since waged a war seeking for their culture to be understood. This has born fruits and although it might not be the place where many thought they would be at this age and time, it is still somewhere.

This article is a representation of the culture of a people, it would thus be important to preserve it and cherish it. It is also important people get to know more about its purpose and importance to the wearer. The Indian turban hats is a beautiful head garment.




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