Men's Headress in Muslim Cultures

From the Kufi to the Taqiyah to the Ghuttra, headdress worn by men in Muslim cultures is wonderfully diverse and super stylish - influencing mainstream fashion over the centuries.

Here are some of the types of headdress worn by men in Muslim cultures...

Fes (Tarboosh/Peci)

A brimless, cylindrical hat made of red felt, traditionally worn in Morocco & other parts of North Africa. Known as the Fes in Turkiye, Russia & Central Asia & as the Peci In Indonesia, it also traditionally worn in parts of the former Ottoman Empire.

Image credit Britanica

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Kufi

A kufi is a short, rounded brimless cap worn by Muslim men predominantly in North Africa, East Africa, West Africa & South Asia. It is also worn by men throughout the African diaspora. It is called various names, Prayer cap, Islamic cap, muslim cap, taqiyah and more.

Image credit Pinterest/Unknown

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Taqiyah

A short, rounded skullcap. It is often worn for cultural or religious purposes. Some Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to keep his head covered, therefore making it mustahabb (i.e., it is commendable to cover the head in order to emulate him.

Image credit Dennistrillo.fp

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Topi

Topi is a type of taqiyah cap that is worn in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and other regions of South Asia. Many different types of topi caps include the Sindhi cap, worn in Sindh and the crochet topi that is often worn at Muslim prayer services.

Image credit National Clothing

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Chechia

A traditional Tunisian hat made of red felt with a tassel on top. It is often worn by Muslim men in North Africa.

Image credit Pinterest/Unknown

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Tagelmust (Cheche)

A large, indigo-colored headscarf wrapped around the head and face, often worn by Tuareg people in North Africa and some parts of West Africa.

Image credit Travelphoteto

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Imamah

A long, wrapped headscarf that is often worn by Muslim men in many parts of the world, including North Africa, Turkey, and the Middle East.

Image credit Pinterest/Unkown

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Turban (Türban/Pagri)

A long, wrapped headscarf that is often worn by Muslim men in many parts of the world, including Turkey & Central Asia. Known as the Pag or Pagri in South Asia, their are different styles of headgear in the Punjabi, Baloch or Pakhtun communities.

Image credit Noor Khan

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Kalpak (Kulahi)

A traditional Turkic hat made of fur or felt, often worn in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

Image credit CHRISTOPHER WILTON-STEER

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Keffiyeh (shemagh)

A square-shaped headdress made of cotton worn in many Middle Eastern countries, particularly the Levant. It is sort of an umbrella name for all of the types of scarves. Traditionally it is folded into a triangle & worn on the head secured with a thick cord.

A Palestinian man wears a keffiya headdress

Image credit Ammar Awad

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Ghutra

Differs from the keffiyeh & the shemagh in its pattern & cloth-it is completely white & a slightly thinner cloth than the others. Common in the Gulf & in Saudi Arabia. The ghutra is folded into a triangle worn on the head & secured with a black cord called the igal.

Image credit the Muslimah collection

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Kumma

A traditional embroidered cap, typically worn by Muslim men in Oman.

Image credit CharlesFred

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Tubeteika

A traditional embroidered cap worn by Muslim men in Central Asia and Tatarstan.

Image credit Frank Orleman

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Papakha (Karabakh)

A traditional woolen hat with a high fur brim, worn by Muslim men in the Caucasus and some parts of Central Asia.

Image credit barakahbase

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Doppa

A traditional embroidered cap worn by Muslim men in the Caucasus and some parts of Central Asia.

Image credit Wikipedia

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Karakul (Jinnah Cap/Karakuli)

A fur hat with a rounded crown and a brim, often worn by Muslim men in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and parts of Central Asia.

Image credit Shayankhaled

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Pakol

Originating from Chitral in the Pakistani highlands, it is a woolen hat commonly worn in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Chitrali’s themselves add ethnic falvour to it with a distinctive feather in the hat.

Image credit Seengar

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Songkok (Kopiah)

A small, rounded skullcap made of velvet or felt, often worn by Muslim men in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Image credit Behati

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Artist Ibrahim Sincere explores men’s hats in Muslim cultures in his work.

Sources of Inspiration & Information

• "What is a Kufi?" by Mahmoudat Sanni-Oba. Accessed on February 21, 2023 from https://www.societeafrica.com/what-is-a-kufi

• "The Fez Hat and Its Role in Moroccan Culture" by AnouarMajid https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-fez-hat-and-its-role_b_8155378

• "The Ghutrah: An Essential Piece of Saudi National Dress" by Zaid Bawab. https://arab.news/2z48q

• https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/the-kepi-a-classic-turkish-hat-4114146

• https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2011/11/18/the-papakha-russias-traditional-hat-a10744

• Wikipedia