Hats and headresses are a tribute to the diversity of the world's cultures. Not only does the variety of shapes and materials speak to human ingenuity and creativity, but knowledge of the hat can provide insight into a culture. Some of the most decorative and colorful headdresse are worn by people who wear little else in the way of clothing. And seemingly, those who have the widest choices of fashion, wear the least imaginative hats, if they wear any at all.
Central Asian Hats
Afghanistan - Beaded Skullcap “Kola”
Afghanistan - Men's wedding headdress
Afghanistan - Pashtun hat "Pakool"
Afghanistan - Tiara
Kyrgistan - Kalpak
Turkey - Mevlevi Sufi Order - Whirling Dervish hat
Turkmenistan - Astrakan sheep wool hat
Uzbekistan - Skullcap
Uzbekistan - Skullcap doppilar
Uzbekistan - Girl's veil
Uzbekistan - Lady's hood
Uzbekistan - Wedding headdress 'Chasava'North American Hats
North American Hats1 Canada - Pacific Northwest - Indians Kwakiutl tribe
The animal image identifies the clan to which the wearer belongs and is worn at potlatch celebrations.
United States - Amish Woman’s BonnetThe lifestyle and customs of the Amish are expressions of their deep religious convictions. Their clothing reflects their humility, modesty and simplicity and has changed little since they emigrated from Germany and Switzerland in the 1800s.
United States - Cowboy hatCowboy hats symbolize much of the history of 19 th C westward expansion of U.S.
United States - Plains Indians, Sioux tribe - Feather WarbonnetFeather headdresses are reserved for men of distinction as each feather was a reward for a courageous deed.
Haiti - Straw HatOne of many styles, straw hats are worn by workers in the fields as protection from the sun
Mexico - Sombrero
The wide-brimmed sombrero was worn by vaqueros or cowboys to protect them from the sun. Sombra is the Spanish word for shade.
United States - Baseball Cap - New York YankeesThe baseball cap is perhaps the world’s most widely worn head covering, found in nearly every country. The simple cap serves many purposes; it shields ones eyes from the sun, identifies his loyalties to a team, organization or place and signals personal status by advertising where, for instance he has vacationed or been educated.
United States - The Walt Disney Company - Mickey Mouse Ears Every child in America is familiar with Mickey Mouse, one of Disney’s best loved cartoon creations. Mickey made his film debut in 1928 but the “ears” weren’t created until 1955 when the Mickey Mouse Club, one of the most successful children’s shows, aired on television.
Middle Eastern
Middle EasternEgypt - Green Skullcap
In Egypt, brightly colored crocheted skullcaps are popular among men.
Egypt - Fez or TarboushThe fez gets its name from the Moroccan city of Fez, where the red berries were grown which provided the dye that gave the hat its distinct crimson color. The fez was traditionally worn in Greece, Turkey, Egypt and across North Africa.
Iran - Taqiyah or Prayer CapKnown in Arabic as a taqiyah, this brimless cap is worn when praying or as a sign of one’s religious devotion.
Isreal - Yarmulke or KippahThe yarmulke (Yiddish) or Kippah (Hebrew) is a skullcap worn at all times by Orthodox Jewish men and during religious services and rituals by men in other Jewish communities. It symbolizes ones respect and reverence for God.
Jordan - KaffiehThe headcloth or goutra worn by men across the Middle East was originally worn by Bedouins, the desert nomads of Arabia. Checkered (shmagh) or plain white, (goutra) The headcloth covers a skullcap and is held in place by an igaal, a double ring of cord.
Syria - HijabHijab is the Arabic word for “cover” or “veil”. With the growth of the Islamic revival beginning in the mid-1970’s, an increasing number of Muslim women have chosen to cover their hair and often their faces. In addition to preserving a woman’s modesty, it is an affirmation of her identity and an act of defiance against the secularization of society.
Yemen - Girl's HoodThis beaded cotton hood is part of a child’s traditional clothing and believed to come from the mountainous Asir region of Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
Yemen - “Gargush” Jewish Lady’s HoodFrom childhood through adulthood, a Jewish woman would wear this to cover her hair and guard her modesty. The materials and embellishments changed based on her age and socioeconomic status.
European Hats
England Constable’s Helmet“Bobbies” throughout British territory have been wearing this style helmet since 1863. Bobbie’s get their name from Sir Robert Peel who founded the Metropolitan ( London) police force in 1829.
France - Alsace - Coiffe a noeudThe Alsacienne Coiffe is composed of a bonnet to which is pinned a large taffeta ribbon. Popular in the late 19 th C, the head covering distinguished Protestants from Catholics and also identified the town the woman was from.
Germany Bavarian hat
Greece - Traditional capEach region of Greece has its own style of cap.
Italy - Venice - Gondolier’s straw hat
Portugal - Madeira Island - Carapuca hatA sprig of rosemary or garlic snape was place in the piping to ward off evil spirits.
Norway - Sami or Laplander Hat of the Four WindsThe hats worn by Sami men are usually brightly colored and often stuffed with down for extra warmth.
Poland - Krakow Rogatywka hatThis square man’s hat is found in Krakow. It is usually bachelors who decorate it with peacock feathers.
Russia - fur hat
Scotland - Tam O’ ShanterA Scottish woolen bonnet, the tartan (plaid) patterns once identified which district a man lived in and which clan he belonged to.
Slovakia - Lady's hood
Worn by a country woman for her wedding and as a new bride. Traditionally after marrying, a woman would not allow her hair to show.
Spain - Montera - Bullfighter’s hatMatadores wear this bicorne hat and “el traje des luces” or suit of lights, as part of their bullfighting wardrobe.
African Hats
Cameroon - Bamum tribe - Ashetu or Prestige hatAshetus indicate social status since they are worn only by men of high rank and privilege.
Mali - Bamana tribe - Chiwara headdressThe Chiwara headdress is used in agricultural ceremonies to honor the mythical antelope god who taught agriculture to their ancestors.
Congo - Ekonda Tribe - Botolo hatAn insignia of his office and position, the chief was required to wear this hat whenever he appeared in public.
Congo - Kuba tribe - Laket hatThe Kuba people have a hierarchical society and use cowrie shells and other materials to indicate social position. Cowrie shells were once used throughout Africa as a form of currency.
Congo - Pende tribe - Misango Mapende hatThe horn-like appendages on the Misango Mapende represent a water buffalo. By wearing this hat, the king is imbued with special strength and powers.
Guinea -Toma tribe -Ceremonial headdress
Nigeria - Yoruban tribe, King’s Headdress - Aden-laAn important symbol of Yoruban kingship, this headdress is worn for special occasions. It is imbued with special powers that enhance the king’s ability to control supernatural forces.
Lesotho - Mokorotlo hatWorn by the indigenous Basotho people, this hat has become a national symbol and is depicted on the flag of Lesotho, an independent country surrounded by South Africa.
Ivory Coast - Guro tribe - Warrior’s helmet
Nigeria - Lady’s beaded hatThroughout Africa beads have been considered valuable and decorate the clothing of prominent people.
Nigeria - Yoruban tribe --Ile Ori or “House of the Head”The headdress reinforces a common African belief in the sacredness of the head. Particularly among the Yoruba people, the head is important as the site of a person’s intellect, personal power, and destiny.
Nigeria - Hausa peopleThe Hausa are the largest ethnic group in West Africa, united by a common language and religion, Islam.
South Africa - Zulu tribe - IsicholoZulu women’s hats became popular in the early 20 th C and were based on a hairstyle worn by married women. Worn today, mostly for ceremonies, the hat indicates a woman’s maturity and marital status.
Uganda or Kenya - Karamajong culture - EmedotThe ceremonial coiffure, emedot, is made of human hair. It is worn by men to convey status based on their age groups. The ostrich feathers symbolize strength, courage and virility while allowing the wearer to express his individuality.
Cameroon - Bamileke tribe - Ceremonial feather headdressWorn by performers during the Elephant Dance, the ceremony honors the Fon (king) and celebrates the prestige of the kingdom.
