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Let Us Appreciate The Indian Turban Hats For What They Are

By Kate McMahon


A turban is a kind of headgear worn mainly by men of the specific community for mainly religious purposes. Among the various communities that wear these garments are the Indians. The Sikhs is one of the most common turban hats wearing Indian faith religion. They call the garment a Dastar. They are not the only faith religion that wears the headgear in India however as the Muslim also does that as a religious observance. The Indian turban is a common but often misunderstood headwear.

The article is won for different reasons by the different people. For one many Indians wear it only on significant celebrations and ceremonies. The Sikh however wear the garment on a daily basis due to their religious requirements. They call the headgear a Dastar which the Khalsa, the baptized, have to wrap around their head on a daily basis. There are a few women who wear the article but it is however identified by the men.

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.

It also represented goodness and moral values. The warriors were most trusted people in the community by everybody. This was like so because they were believed to be of noble mind and exceptional moral values. It is also a symbol of courage as it was worn during battle when going to war. It could also signify friendship of the highest order. During the Pag Vatauni a person exchanged their garment with that of their friend as a pledge of suffering or celebrating with the other person in all situations.

The style of wrapping also stood for something in the community. The Chand Tora Dhalama for instance was a style that was used by warriors in the battle field. It is mainly worn by the Nihang Sikh men.

It has not been an easy ride for the Indians who live outside India and still wear the headgear as discrimination is rampant. After the September 11 attacks most people assume people wearing the article are all terrorists and thus treat them the same even though this is not the case. It is important that people know these garments are significantly different to those worn by the Muslims.

This is a cultural and historical garment that needs to be more appreciated than it is at the moment. The discrimination should also be stopped as the wearers of the garment are also human. Let us appreciate the Indian turban hats for what they are.




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