Somali Kofiyad

[Barkhadle1520]

Asc does anyone have any sources or proof that Omanis adopted the Kofiyad from Somalis and not the opposite ?

 

[Shimbiris]

Do you mean the turban or basically the taqiyah? Taqiyahs seem mostly modern among Somalis but we have, if I'm not mistaken, proof of accounts mentioning something like a turban going back to the Middle Ages. @Idilinaa would probably remember some more than me but I recall seeing them. We have no idea where Somalis got turbans and I doubt it's specifically Omanis.

It's a typical adornment among people in very sunny, desert and tropical or subtropical climes. You'd want that or a big fuzzy afro to protect your head from the sun down there. Trust me, tropical sunlight in Somalia hits different and I say that as someone who's experienced it after growing up in Dubai. You instantly want a cap or something like it so some form of head covering was probably always known to the culture out of necessity. Besides, it's also worth noting that neighboring cultures in the Horn, including Orthodox Christians, wore some form of a turban historically so it seems old in the region.

 

[Barkhadle1520]

Do you mean the turban or basically the taqiyah? Taqiyahs seem mostly modern among Somalis but we have, if I'm not mistaken, proof of accounts mentioning something like a turban going back to the Middle Ages. @Idilinaa would probably remember some more than me but I recall seeing them. We have no idea where Somalis got turbans and I doubt it's specifically Omanis.

It's a typical adornment among people in very sunny, desert and tropical or subtropical climes. You'd want that or a bit fuzzy afro to protect your heat from the sun down there. Trust me, tropical sunlight in Somalia hits different and I say that as someone who's experienced it after growing up in Dubai. You instantly want a cap or something like it so some form of head covering was probably always known to the culture out of necessity. Besides, it's also worth noting that neighboring cultures in the Horn, including Orthodox Christians, wore some form of a turban historically so it seems old in the region.

Do you have sources

 

[Neptune]

Pretty sure they got it from their Zanzibari cousins that returned to Oman.

 

[Shimbiris]

Do you have sources

Like I said, got none on me now. On my phone and out. But idilinaa probably does. Here's an example of a Habesha priest, though:

Same general period Somali (1800s):

Turbans are definitely not something recent in the Horn. Look up accounts of the Horn by the Portuguese. Think it recall them mentioning it as far back as the 1500s or so.

 

[Emir of Zayla]

Like I said, got none on me now. On my phone and out. But idilinaa probably does. Here's an example of a Habesha priest, though:

View attachment 365426


Same general period Somali (1800s):

View attachment 365427

Turbans are definitely not something recent in the Horn. Look up accounts of the Horn by the Portuguese. Think it recall them mentioning it as far back as the 1500s or so.

Somali turbans and headdresses go way back recorded to at least the early Middle Ages, the Chinese who came to Somalia said that turbans were worn by the people of court of the King.

The common dress code of Somalis around the 15-16th century was this (sourced from @Idilinaa):
The Sultan wore a silk turban that covers his head. The Princes and soldiers wore turbans in a similar manner. Sheikh/Qadi also wear turbans. The common people wear white caps (koofiyad?)

 

[Barkhadle1520]

Somali turbans and headdresses go way back recorded to at least the early Middle Ages, the Chinese who came to Somalia said that turbans were worn by the people of court of the King.View attachment 365431
The common dress code of Somalis around the 15-16th century was this (sourced from @Idilinaa):
The Sultan wore a silk turban that covers his head. The Princes and soldiers wore turbans in a similar manner. Sheikh/Qadi also wear turbans. The common people wear white caps (koofiyad?)

View attachment 365432

This text doesnt mention caps

 

[Emir of Zayla]

This text doesnt mention caps

 

[Grimmer]

Like I said, got none on me now. On my phone and out. But idilinaa probably does. Here's an example of a Habesha priest, though:

View attachment 365426


Same general period Somali (1800s):

View attachment 365427

Turbans are definitely not something recent in the Horn. Look up accounts of the Horn by the Portuguese. Think it recall them mentioning it as far back as the 1500s or so.

My awoowe has a lot brothers, almost all of them where a turban.