Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Traditional Hat of Northern Area of Pakistan


Pakistan northern area is rich in its diverse culture. There are many hand made things that is is an integral part of its culture. and had gained popularity all over the world.  Pashtun hat.is one of that. The Paktoon people wear this hat along with wasket particularly in winter.

This Typicla hat is called by various names. Some where  it is called  pakol , Dari in Pashto language, peshawari cap, Afghani cap and so on.  

This hat is beautiful soft, round-topped men's hat and  found in any of a variety of earthy colors: brown, black, gray, or ivory, or dyed red using walnut, It is typically made of wool.  

In Gilgit-Baltistan, the white color hat is more popular and is sometimes worn with a peacock plume stuck in the folds, like a badge, on the front or the side of the hat. 


The patti is first sewn into the shape of a cylinder, about a foot or more long. One end of the cylinder is capped with a round piece of the same material, slightly wider than the cylinder itself. The woolen cylinder is then inverted and fitted onto a round wooden block. The rim of the woolen cylinder is then rolled up to the top. The flat top protrudes a little over the rolled-up edge to give the cap a tiny brim. Otherwise, all Afghan headwear, unlike Western hats, is brimless. This is because Muslims pray with their heads covered. A brimmed hat would interfere with the sajdah (act of prostration during prayers). The little brim of the pakol, however, presents no such problem.
Before it is fitted, it resembles a bag with a round, flat bottom. The wearer rolls up the sides nearly to the top, forming a thick band, which then rests on the head like a beret or cap.

Because of the woolen material, it is basically a cold weather Hat. In  chilly weather  the cap can be unrolled and pulled down over the ears, like a ski cap. Worn this way, it may look sloppy but is effective against the cold.