Wednesday, July 3, 2013

What Turban Wrapping Really Symbolizes

By Freda Watts


Turban wrapping is a process that is considered sacred among some communities. The turbans are a popular head wear especially among the men. They are usually designed to keep the person wearing cool in thirsty and hot desert environments like the Sahara. They may also be worn as symbol of pride in different societies. In India, this head-wear is commonly referred to as pagri.

Despite the above functions, the pagri is also worn to mean respect and honor. There are 4 types of religions back in India and such include the Sikh, the Hindu, the christen and Muslim. All these four groups wear the turban. In all cases, the base of the pagri is the same but the style of tying it differs depending on the religion one is in. The origin of this head wear is believed to be Rajasthan where the puchrangi pagri is common and very demand-able.

The turbans could also be worn to symbolize commitment and dedication. Just as it is in the Indian and Arab world, during the old biblical period, this head wear used to symbolize authority, self respect and dignity. In addition, it was worn as a symbol of royalty and more often than not, it used to replace the crown especially in areas of monarchy, although the dressing style differed.

The market for this head-wear has been increasing tremendously. Today, there are various designs of the same available for individuals to choose from. The demand has influenced the market in a big way thus has affected the purchasing power of people. It is not popular only in designated regions but has become huge almost in the entire globe.

In the past, the turbans were specifically worn by males. However, times have changed and these cloths can now be worn by females. This has been facilitated due to their growth in demand. These are usually made from unique and quality materials and can be customized for different events such as parties and wedding occasions. Their prices also vary from place to place and may also depend on the materials used.

There are different sizes of the turban available in the market. The variation in size of people wearing them has facilitated the manufacture of different turbans with varying range of sizes to fit every individual. There are small sizes that are designed for children. There are also those which are meant for the middle aged and adults.

There are a lot of advantages associated with the turbans. They protect men from heat caused by the burning sun. They can also be used in practical functions. For example, travelers who are exhausted use the turbans as pillow, blankets or towels. They can also be used as ropes to draw water from wells.

Turban wrapping has been symbolic among various communities. This is usually a fulfilling process. It can be quite a hectic procedure for individuals who are still new with the process. Nonetheless, it gets easier with time and once a person is used to it, tying takes a few minutes.




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