What is an African head scarf called?

What is an African head scarf called?

A head tie is a women’s cloth head scarf that is commonly worn in many parts of West Africa and Southern Africa. The head tie is used as an ornamental head covering or fashion accessory, or for functionality in different settings.

What do Nigerians wear on their head?

In Nigeria a head tie is called a gele — that’s the word used by the Yoruba, one of the country’s many ethnic groups. But the wearing of head wraps is traditional for all Nigerians and indeed for most African cultures. An artfully folded gele is part of everyday wear and de rigueur for special occasions like weddings.

Why do Africans wrap their heads?

In Africa, head wraps have a practical and fashionable purpose. Wraps can be use to protect one’s head from the harsh sun and can be used as hair protective styling. But head wraps can also represent ethnicity, wealth, mourning, and marital status depending on the type of head wrap is worn and how it is worn.

What are the head wraps called?

A headscarf is a scarf covering most or all of the top of a person’s, usually women’s, hair and head, leaving the face uncovered. A headscarf is formed of a triangular cloth or a square cloth folded into a triangle, with which the head is covered.

What do head wraps symbolize?

The practices dates back to pre-colonial African history in sub-Saharan Africa, and head wraps were considered symbols of status, marriage, and family lineage. During the Transatlantic Slave Trade, they were one of the few cultural pieces enslaved Africans were able to bring to the Americas.

How long is an African head wrap?

about 60-72 inches
Available in many colors and patterns, fabrics and sizes, headwraps are usually about 60-72 inches—or the length of an average scarf.

What is Iro and Buba?

The Iro is a large wrapper tied around the waist. The Buba is a loose-fitted blouse. The Gele is a headwrap for which Nigerian women are famously known for. The Pele is a shorter fabric tied around the waist on top of the Iro.

Why did slaves shave their heads?

Before transporting them, captors and traders shaved the heads of all African adults and children taken captive. The claimed purpose for this action was to prepare for the unsanitary conditions of the slave ships.

What do Indian girls wear on their head?

A ghoonghat (ghunghat, ghunghta, ghumta, orhni, laaj, chunari, jhund, kundh) is a headcovering or headscarf, worn primarily in the Indian subcontinent, by some married Hindu, Jain, and Sikh women to cover their heads, and often their faces.

What religion wears a head wrap?

A form of headscarf, known as the hijab, is commonly seen in Muslim countries and is born out of qur’anic tradition. It is worn primarily by Muslim women for religious purposes, and its style varies by culture. In Eastern Orthodox culture, headscarves are worn by women while attending the church.

What is a African head wrap?

Across Africa the head wrap goes by many names. In Malawi the Duku, in Botswana it is the Tukwi, in Nigeria and other parts of west Africa the Gele and the Moussor in Senegal just to name a few. Each country and Tribes in Africa will have varying uses and attach different meanings to these wraps and the styles and colours used.

Why do South African women wrap their hair?

In South Africa women will wrap their hair when on official visits to meet there in-laws or when visiting the houses of higher ranked members of community as a sign of respect. If you have had the pleasure of attending an African wedding you will have be amongst the most beautiful and complex of head wrapping styles and colours.

What is the significance of head wrapping in African weddings?

If you have had the pleasure of attending an African wedding you will have be amongst the most beautiful and complex of head wrapping styles and colours. This is not unusual as it communicates a matriarchal and queenly image, a powerful representation of female sophistication and beauty.