Pakul
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The pakul is a soft, round-topped Afghan men's hat, typically of wool and found in any of a variety of earthy colors: brown, black, gray, or ivory. 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. An alternate spelling is pakoul. The pakul gained some attention in the West in the 1980s, as it was a favored head covering for Afghan mujahideen who fought the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan (1979–1989).
The hat is worn by in Northern Pakistan as well. It is particularly popular in the North West Frontier Province and Northern Areas such as Gilgit and Hunza. The purpose of the hat is to help a muslim man pray, the forehead touches the ground, the round bit provides a cushion.
More recently, the pakul has been worn by such disparate types as Osama Bin Laden and Ahmed Shah Masood, the assassinated military leader of the Afghan Northern Alliance.
 |
This Afghanistan-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 |
This Pakistan-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
