Throughout time and in areas around the world, people have worn various signs and symbols that denote them as members of a particular group or community. There are many ways in which this message is conveyed such as identifiable tattoos, unique hair styles and quite often through the use of a distinct article of clothing. The Afghan turban is one such item and it tells a story about the person who bears it.
This covering has a very significant meaning in the country of Afghanistan because it is how others can tell who he is in the community. The Islamic government has a very strong presence and the distinct meaning of the turban and how it is to be worn is quite clear. The slight changes in detail such as the color and pattern are how one's status or profession are shown.
This style of headdress is very old and has been worn in the tribal areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan for centuries mainly by the Pashtun people of that region. They refer to the covering as a lungee in Pashtu, and as a pagree in Hindi as both languages are fluently spoken throughout the area. The construction of this article of clothing is very specific and easily recognizable.
A lungee is made from a very lightweight cloth made mainly of either silk or thin cotton. It is a long strip of fabric, approximately five meters long and about a meter wide. Although it only weighs a couple of ounces, when properly wrapped on the head, it gives the illusion of being much larger and heavier.
This type of turban is unique in the way it is wrapped and worn and it has a very distinctive appearance. It begins by placing a small, simply designed cap with no brim and no decoration, over the top of the head. The reason for this is basically to keep the hair from getting caught up in the wrap or obstructing its construction.
The material is folded and twisted in a particular fashion as it is wrapped around the head. At its completion, it will appear as a ring round the crown of the skull with center portion still exposing the cap beneath it. The fabric ends are also specifically placed with one end extending just a short bit from the top of the covering and the other end hanging over the shoulder loosely.
The color choices a man makes when making his lungee are of utmost importance because they are the main means by which is community status is announced. It is necessary to know whether he his a common citizen or whether he is a village or religious leader because certain positions hold a great deal of decision making power and influence in the life all the townspeople. They control everyday matters both personal and professional.
Normally, the Afghan turban is only worn in the colors of white or black and striped patterns of the two. The manner in which they are presented says a lot about the community standing of the man who is wearing them. In addition to serving as identification, the coverings also work as protection for the people against the elements of weather which can be quite brutal.
This covering has a very significant meaning in the country of Afghanistan because it is how others can tell who he is in the community. The Islamic government has a very strong presence and the distinct meaning of the turban and how it is to be worn is quite clear. The slight changes in detail such as the color and pattern are how one's status or profession are shown.
This style of headdress is very old and has been worn in the tribal areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan for centuries mainly by the Pashtun people of that region. They refer to the covering as a lungee in Pashtu, and as a pagree in Hindi as both languages are fluently spoken throughout the area. The construction of this article of clothing is very specific and easily recognizable.
A lungee is made from a very lightweight cloth made mainly of either silk or thin cotton. It is a long strip of fabric, approximately five meters long and about a meter wide. Although it only weighs a couple of ounces, when properly wrapped on the head, it gives the illusion of being much larger and heavier.
This type of turban is unique in the way it is wrapped and worn and it has a very distinctive appearance. It begins by placing a small, simply designed cap with no brim and no decoration, over the top of the head. The reason for this is basically to keep the hair from getting caught up in the wrap or obstructing its construction.
The material is folded and twisted in a particular fashion as it is wrapped around the head. At its completion, it will appear as a ring round the crown of the skull with center portion still exposing the cap beneath it. The fabric ends are also specifically placed with one end extending just a short bit from the top of the covering and the other end hanging over the shoulder loosely.
The color choices a man makes when making his lungee are of utmost importance because they are the main means by which is community status is announced. It is necessary to know whether he his a common citizen or whether he is a village or religious leader because certain positions hold a great deal of decision making power and influence in the life all the townspeople. They control everyday matters both personal and professional.
Normally, the Afghan turban is only worn in the colors of white or black and striped patterns of the two. The manner in which they are presented says a lot about the community standing of the man who is wearing them. In addition to serving as identification, the coverings also work as protection for the people against the elements of weather which can be quite brutal.
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