Turban

A turban (from Persian دوربند‌, durband; via Middle French turbant) is a type of headwear based on cloth winding. Featuring many variations, it is worn as customary headwear by people of various cultures.^[1] Communities with prominent turban-wearing traditions can be found in the Indian subcontinent,^[2] Southeast Asia, the Middle East, the Balkans, the Caucasus, Central Asia, North Africa, West Africa, East Africa, and amongst some Turkic peoples in Russia.

For the millinery fashion, see Draped turban. For other uses, see Turban (disambiguation).

A keski is a type of turban, a long piece of cloth roughly half the length of a traditional "single turban", but not cut and sewn to make a double-width "Double Turban" (or Double Patti).^[3]

Wearing turbans is common among Sikh men (Dastar), and infrequently women.^[4] They are also worn by Hindu monks. The headgear also serves as a religious observance, including among Shia Muslims, who regard turban-wearing as Sunnah mu’akkadah (confirmed tradition).^[5] The turban is also the traditional headdress of Sufi scholars. Muslim men might wear the turban (Imama) during prayer. Additionally, turbans have often been worn by nobility, regardless of religious background.

Styles and Wrapping Techniques: Turbans come in a variety of styles, and the method of wrapping can vary. Some turbans are simple and functional, while others are elaborate and serve ceremonial or formal purposes. The way a turban is tied can indicate the wearer's social or marital status, religious affiliation, or regional identity. Aside from cultural and religious significance, turbans are also practical headwear. They provide protection from the sun, dust, and wind. In some regions with hot climates, turbans can help keep the head cool.

Late fourth century Byzantine woman, wearing a phakeolis

14th century Byzantine, Theodore Metochites, presenting a model of the renovated Chora Church, while wearing a striped turban

16th century, Suleiman I, wearing the Ottoman imperial turban, known as kavuk (tr)

Sultan Abdillahi Deria, fourth Grand Sultan of the Somali Isaaq Sultanate, wearing a turban

16th century sultan of the Ottoman Empire Selim II wearing the Ottoman imperial turban, known as kavuk

16th century Mughal Emperor Babur and his heir Humayun wearing turbans

Maharaja Ranjit Singh, founder of the Sikh Empire, wearing a decorated turban (1830).

Late 17th century Maratha emperor Shivaji wearing a turban and its ornaments

Sultan Mohamoud Ali Shire of the Somali Warsangali clan wearing a turban, 1905

Baroque depiction of Abraham wearing a turban, by Guercino, oil on canvas, 1657

Roman copy of a Greek bust featuring Pythagoras of Samos wearing a turban, 2nd–1st century BC

The earliest depiction of a turban can be found on a Mesopotamian sculpture dating back to 2350 B.C.^[6]^[7]^[8]^[9] A style of turban called a phakeolis continued to be worn in that region by soldiers of the Byzantine army in the period 400–600,^[10] as well as by Byzantine civilians as depicted in Greek frescoes from the 10th century in the province of Cappadocia in modern Turkey,^[11] where it was still worn by their Greek-speaking descendants in the early 20th century. The Islamic prophet, Muhammad, who lived 570–632, wore an Imama turban. The style of turban he introduced was a cap with a cloth tied around it; this headwear is known as Imama and was emulated by Muslim kings and scholars throughout history. Shiah clergies today wear white turbans unless they are descendants of Muhammad or Sayyid, in which case they wear a black turban. Many Muslim men choose to wear green, because it represents paradise, especially among followers of Sufism. In parts of North Africa, where blue is common, the shade of a turban can signify the tribe of the wearer.^[12]