A turban (from Persian دولبند, dulband, via Middle French turbant) is a type of headwear based on cloth winding. Featuring many variations, it is worn as customary headwear, usually by men. Communities with prominent turban-wearing traditions can be found in the Indian Subcontinent, Afghanistan and North-West Pakistan the Arabian Peninsula, Southeast Asia, the Near East, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, and parts of the Swahili Coast. Wearing turbans is common among Sikhs, who refer to it as a Dastar. In certain other faith communities, the headgear also serves as a religious observance, including among Muslims, who regard turban-wearing as Sunnah Mu’akkadah (confirmed tradition). Additionally, turbans have often been worn by nobility, regardless of religious background. They are also sometimes donned to protect hair or as a headwrap for women following cancer treatments.
