My Response To The Headdress- A Monolgue

In viewing this headdress the first initial thought process is the absence of the people, land and culture which it possesses.

One is struck by the silence of the Natives, however this object speaks volumes. There is a response- the wanting of the voice the headdress embodies. Images are enforced, flickering through the mind.

Questions are inquest upon. Who has the headdress been possessed by? What path has it followed? And how did it come to be here, close to me?

A mental journey is undergone through the land it bestowed.
It speaks of another time, one where this headdress could be free.
Now locked away, it gives a unnerving reality.
This life is dead. Now come to an end, this is all that's left.

A strong sense of spirit, deep within the heart, a nation coming together whom wore this with pride. Wanting to symbolise their roots and illustrate their identity. Escaping prejudice against their ‘own’ country. The claustrophobic feeling of society it leaves, now being captured within this entity.

A sensation creeps, a rush of force- The need to make a stand, alongside the people, in your motherland.

This headdress had a life, a purpose other than to be a symbol of the indigenous people. It’s trail now trapped. It speaks of what ‘once was, but will never be’.

Native American History Origins : A Nation's civilisation destroyed.

Native American History.

“Peoples who occupied North America before the arrival of the Europeans in the 15th cent. They have long been known as Indians because of the belief prevalent at the time of Columbus that the Americas were the outer reaches of the Indies (i.e., the East Indies). Most scholars agree that Native Americans came into the Western Hemisphere from Asia via the Bering Strait in a series of migrations. From Alaska they spread east and south. The several waves of migration are said to account for the many native linguistic families while the common origin is used to explain the physical characteristics that Native Americans have in common (though with considerable variation)Mongoloid features, coarse, straight black hair, dark eyes, sparse body hair, and a skin color ranging from yellow-brown to reddish brown. Many scholars accept evidence of Native American existence in the Americas back more than 25,000 years. In pre-Columbian times (prior to 1492) the Native American population of the area North of Mexico is estimated to have been between one and two million. From prehistoric times until recent historic times there were roughly six major cultural areas, excluding that of the Arctic, i.e., Northwest Coast, Plains, Plateau, Eastern Woodlands, Northern, and Southwest.” (Native American Indians: The First people of America. )

Native American History.

Ref: www.nativeamericans.com

Native American History: A Nation's civilisation destroyed. (A Work In Progress)

"LONG BEFORE the white man set foot on American soil, the American Indians, or rather the Native Americans, had been living in America. When the Europeans came here, there were probably about 10 million Indians populating America north of present-day Mexico. And they had been living in America for quite some time. It is believed that the first Native Americans arrived during the last ice-age, approximately 20,000 - 30,000 years ago through a land-bridge across the Bering Sound, from northeastern Siberia into Alaska. The oldest documented Indian cultures in North America are Sandia (15000 BC), Clovis (12000 BC) and Folsom (8000 BC)" (Unknown:2007)


"Although it is believed that the Indians originated in Asia, few if any of them came from India. The name "Indian" was first applied to them by Christopher Columbus, who believed mistakenly that the mainland and islands of America were part of the Indies, in Asia." (Unknown: 2007)


We know the name given to the Native Americans as ‘Indians’ was due to Christopher Columbus’s belief that the Native Americans were on the outer reaches of the Indies in 15th Century. But where did the Native Americans really come from and what was there real heritage? The home of the Native Americans is thought to be Asia however as yet there is no direct link found to suggest this.

It is ominent that the man can now give any such name to another?

"The Europeans brought with them not only a desire and will to conquer the new continent for all its material richness, but they also brought with them diseases that hit the Indians hard. Conflicts developed between the Native Americans and the Invaders, the latter arriving in overwhelming numbers, as many "as the stars in heaven". The Europeans were accustomed to own land and laid claim to it while they considered the Indians to be nomads with no interest to claim land ownership. The conflicts led to the Indian Wars, the Indian Removal Act empowered by President Andrew Jackson in 1830 and other acts instituted by the Europeans in order to accomplish their objectives, as they viewed them at the time. In these wars the Indian tribes were at a great disadvantage because of their modest numbers, nomadic life, lack of advanced weapons, and unwillingness to cooperate, even in their own defense." (Unknown: 2007)

"The end of the wars more or less coincided with the end of the 19th century. The last major war was not really a war, it was a massacre in 1890 where Indian warriors, women, and children were slaughtered by U.S. cavalrymen at Wounded Knee, South Dakota, in a final spasm of ferocity." (Unknown: 2007)

Wounded Knee, Battle of, December 29, 1890, the last important fight between American Indians and United States troops. It is often called a massacre; the band of Sioux involved in it was almost wiped out.

After being restricted to reservations in the Dakotas, the Sioux had turned to a mystic movement known as the Ghost Dance that would, they believed, cause whites to disappear from Indian lands. The federal authorities, fearing an uprising, brought in army units. On December 15, Sitting Bull, the most famous Sioux chief, was killed in a skirmish following an attempt to arrest him. Some of Sitting Bull's followers fled with Chief Big Foot and his band. The U.S. Seventh Cavalry overtook them at Wounded Knee Creek (in what is now South Dakota). As the troopers attempted to disarm the Indians, a shot was fired. (Which side fired the shot is uncertain.) The soldiers then attacked. In the fighting that followed, nearly 300 Sioux, including women and children, were killed; 29 troopers died.

"A stupefying record of greed and treachery, of heroism and pain, had come to an end, a record forever staining the immense history of the westward movement, which in its drama and tragedy is also distinctively and unforgettably American." (Unknown: 2007)



How is it a civilisation living in their own country can be imposed, threatened and eventually ruled? Has this very situation not gone on for years if not centuries?

Hitler's army shows us of the length man has gone to in order to conquer and remove those which impose their society. But one establishes through this that man can achieve this injustice without having to justify. For a nation to be wiped out, who must man answer to? Surely someone? In India we saw the British empire come and rule. A place which they have no cultural relevance to, a place in which is not their home. The greed of man. I ask you, if today we lived in a world where slavery was made the 'norm' would we not follow it too? We don't have to look as far as the past to see our own nation fighting countries and attempting at conquering. Is this not because man is aware they are more powerful and have allies, therefore given a ’right’? Surely a nation can not pick and choose which land it wishes to own? A land which has no relevance to them, but is sacred to someone else. A nations home. Today, we see nation's being destroyed, by a bigger force. If a nation is not as powerful or so injust and corrupt to put up a fight does this mean man can take what it desires?

It was the norm for British to rule India. Do you think a British citizen at that time thought anything wrong with what their government had done? In the same way did the European people see anything 'wrong' with slavery? Sadly, no. Unfortunately we celebrate this as an achievement of us being the great and powerful.

The sketches implanting in our minds of figures brutal and different to us- The native Americans-coarse, straight black hair, dark eyes, sparse body hair, and a skin colour ranging from yellow-brown to reddish brown.
Terrorism today can be seen in much the same way. The ideology of bombs and headscarf’s-threatening our minds. The idea of making us believe we live in fear by those different to us. In much the same way Hitler’s Jews were different ’ugly’ and menacing to our minds. Does this not then give the powerful a path to destroy and rule, without having to justify?



Reference

"Battle of Wounded Knee." 27 February 2008. HowStuffWorks.com. 12 April 2009.

"Return of Casey's scouts from the fight at Wounded Knee, 1890--91."

Native Americans - Wounded Knee, "Big Foot, leader of the Sioux, captured at the battle of Wounded Knee, S.D." Here he lies frozen on the snow-covered battlefield where he died, 1890.

"Big Foot, leader of the Sioux, captured at the battle of Wounded Knee, S.D."

Here he lies frozen on the snow-covered battlefield where he died, 1890.

http://www.nativeamericans.com/WoundedKnee.htm

The Death Of A Nation.

Where Will Our Children Live...

A lonesome warrior stands in fear of what the future brings,
he will never hear the beating drums or the songs his brothers sing.

Our many nations once stood tall and ranged from shore to shore
but most are gone and few remain and the buffalo roam no more.

We shared our food and our land and gave with open hearts,
We wanted peace and love and hope, but all were torn apart.

All this was taken because we did not know what the white man had in store,
They killed our people and raped our lands and the buffalo roam no more.

But those of us who still remain hold our heads up high, and the spirits of
the elders flow through us as if they never died.

Our dreams will live on forever and our nations will be reborn, our bone and
beads and feathers all will be proudly worn.

If you listen close you will hear the drums and songs upon the winds, and in
the distance you will see....the buffalo roam again.

My Place-A monologue

This place gives me a sense of belonging, a place I am rooted to in the world we live in. As I enter into this place I feel as though I have once seen it in a dream. Music playing makes my heart beat a thousand times. It’s as if I embodied it without even knowing. The distinct smell of fresh material. The colours radiating of your skin, making you seem so tranquil and earthly. Bangles clinking together, make me want to release. The words you speak make me feel close and I am not the ‘unknown.’ This world; the beauty of it all coming back to me. The misty air, sun-setting in the horizon, twinkling in my eyes. The presence of God falls upon me. Everywhere I look I see your face shining back at me. Down to the ground, the earth of the land, I want to hold and keep. I want to escape, onto this path. I close my eyes and breath you in, as if taking in life. I’m your child. Standing there in full colour feeling, the material I wear moving to the rhythm of the wind. You set me free.

I see how proud you are as others watch; They say:
‘ Nazar na lag jahi’

To protect me from the evil eye.

I feel like a Queen, I’m mesmerised by this atmosphere of serenity.

That day when it was just us both-and I was much younger. It was raining so fast. You put me under the tree.
“Sorry Shona, I'm sorry you cried. You looked so worried.
I clinged on soaked.
When you came back you looked hurt.
"It was ok, I wish you hadn’t felt so guilty."
I've never forgot that face.

I remember us all together; pure happiness. I felt as if I‘d given you something, which made me proud. For those few moments we shared were what makes life. Gazing at both of you, I was so overwhelmed. I know you’ll never forget that day, neither will I. If only that moment could have stayed forever.

Coyote- ‘Creator’

Coyote- ‘Creator’

" In ages past, our old ones were the storytellers. This was the way things were passed along to the generations that followed. For this reason the aged people made it a point to remember every detail so they could relate it at a later time. They were the word and picture carriers making history and spiritual values alive and important. In recent times we have made our old ones think they are not so important. We spoof their stories and make them feel foolish. The truth is that we are ignorant of what is precious and how to 'a da li he li tse di -- appreciate age. Rigidity can creep in and set even the young mind if there are no soft memories, no laughter, no times too deep for tears. Age is grace -- a time too valuable to waste."
(Hifler, S.J: 1992-pg.9)

The Coyote myth lore is one of the most popular among the Native American. Coyote is a ubiquitous being and can be categorized in many types. In creation myths, Coyote appears as the Creator himself; but he may at the same time be the messenger, the culture hero, the trickster, the fool. He has also the ability of the transformer: in some stories he is a handsome young man; in others he is an animal; yet others present him as just a power, a sacred one.

Certain myths could not be told lightly. They formed the basis of sacred rituals, including ceremonies in which participants acted out traditional sacred stories. Many Native Americans believed that some myths could be told only at certain times, often during winter nights. A dire fate—such as an attack by snakes—awaited those who told the stories at the wrong time. Other myths resembled folktales. They could be told for fun or to teach a lesson about proper behaviour, and those who told them were free to change or add elements to the basic story. Many such tales involved tricksters. (Kazakova, T: 2004)

Coyote is known as the prairie wolf.
A species of Candid -Found in North and Central America, South, North, Mexico , U.S and Canada and as far as Alaska.

19 recognised subspecies. 16 in Canada, Mexico and US and 3 in Central U.S.

The Coyote is related to the Gray Wolf.

The Coyote reproduce in metro political areas.

Coyote’s name originates from Mexico means ’barking clog’.

Coyote Mythology.

The Coyotes antagonist is his brother, the wolf.
The wolf is wise and good natured but always gives into his demands.

In the Northwest, the Coyote is seen as sexual-white settlers were perhaps to scandalous to retell such stories.

These stories have banished by sexually conservative European-Americans.

Coyote Followers:

California.

Kraus, Tongra of Southern California.
Ohlone mythology of Northern California
The Miwor mythology of Northern California.
Pomo mythology of Northern California.

Great Plains.

Crow Mythology.
Ho Chunk Mythology
Menominee

Plateau.

Myths and Stories of Coyote can also be found in cultures of Plateau.

The Chinook an (including Wishram people and Multnomah)
The Falthead
The Nez Perce
The Nlaka’pamux
Secwepemc#St’at’imc
Tssilqo’tin
Yakama.

According to the mythologies of most Native American cultures, their people originated in the places where their ancestors traditionally lived. Some tales speak of ancient migrations. However, Native Americans are descended from hunting and gathering peoples of northeastern Asia who travelled across the Bering Sea into North America during the most recent Ice Age. During that Ice Age, which ended around 8000 B.C., the level of the oceans was much lower, and a bridge of land linked Siberia and Alaska. Some groups may also have reached Alaska from Siberia by boat or by walking on ice. Over thousands of years, the population of North America grew and diversified into the peoples and cultures that Europeans encountered when they began to colonize the continent in the A.D. 1500s.(Native American Mythology, Encyclopedia of Myths:2008)

Mythology, religion, history, and ritual were not separate things for Native American peoples. They were strands woven together in the various tales and stories that defined peoples' identity and gave order and meaning to their lives. The most serious of these were myths about how the gods created and ordered the universe and about the origins of important things such as humans, landforms, food, and death.

The Oral Tradition. Before the arrival of Europeans and the spread of European influence, Native Americans did not use written languages. As a result, their myths and legends were passed from generation to generation in oral form, usually by special storytellers who sometimes used objects such as stone carvings, shells, rugs, or pottery to illustrate the tales.
(Native American Mythology, Encyclopedia of Myths:2008)

There are many different stories known throughout Native American tribes about Coyote. Each tribe portrays their coyote an individual way and his meaning is transformed from one legend to the next.

COYOTE (South-western Indians, but known in other areas as well) -
A trickster, a clown. The creator and teacher of men. Like Loki, Coyote is always lurking about, causing trouble and playing pranks. To the Zunis, Coyote is a hero who set forth the laws by which men may live in peace. The Pomo Indians maintain that Coyote created the human race and stole the sun to keep them warm. The Montana Sioux say that Coyote created the horse.
(Burke,N: 2008)

Coyote is either presented as noble or bad.

More often than not Coyote is a trickster, but he is always different. In some stories, he is a noble trickster, "Coyote takes water from the Frog people... because it is not right that one people have all the water." 9. In others, he is mean, "Coyote determined to bring harm to Duck. He took Duck's wife and children, whom he treated badly." 10. (Kazakova, T: 2004)

Coyote is shape shifter, Illuminator and uses pranks to teach and help people learn by their foolish mistakes and to laugh at themselves. (J, Stefko: 2006 )

The coyote is seen as a trickster, some stories he is a Buffoon and some see him as evil.
Coyote myths vary from tribe-to-tribe. Each Native tribe has their own individual myths and stories following Coyote.

Coyote however comes in many forms, Man or animal.
Coyote usually male, resembles a human although has features like a coyote-fur, pointed ears, yellow eyes, tail and claws.

Coyote is cunning, a shapeshifter, opportunity, stealth, white and dark magic, creativity, illumination, experience and new life. He stole fire for the humans, but he can also create floods. Trickster of Native American tales often gets duped, but he always rebounds and, at some point, even teaches himself lessons he learns from.(Jill Stefko: 2006)

Positive Traits.

Humour
Cleverness

Negative Traits

Greed
Desire
Recklessness
Impulsiveness
Jealousy

Coyote according to many tribes is the great trickster. He is often fooled and astonished by the outcome of his own pranks. He survives this, then goes onto not learning by his mistakes and makes bigger ones. He denotes both folly and wisdom and the balance of the two. Wisdom is hidden in the foolery. He may have lost the skirmish, but remains unbeaten. Coyote is keeper of magic, teacher and creator. The cycle of power is year around.

People see their weaknesses in his foolish acts. He helps them to become aware of their silliness and learn from it. Coyote teaches by folly. The message is to see through the actions of self sabotage, laugh at oneself and learn.( Jill Stefko: 2006)

The Native Americans tribes differences of on who and what is our ’creator’ can be seen within many religions of our time. As well as the idea of a 'sense of spiritual force' sensed -through earth, land and animals etc.

Each tribe shares their own interpretation of “ the creation of the world, the appearance of the first people, the place of humans in the universe, and the lives and deeds of deities and ‘heroes’ (Native American Mythology, Encyclopedia of Myths:2008)

Most religions tell us how earth was first shaped and formed, as does the Native Americans belief in Coyote the ‘Creator‘. Within Native American tribes Coyote is either human , animal or simply a force however all believe he is the creator of man and earth as well as fire.

Creation myths are highly apparent in the Native American mythology-they tell of how the world was brought together and took it's form.

One myth tells the story of Coyote creating the first human by kicking a ball into mud, which then became a man.

Other tribes such as Navajo believe Coyote created man in honour of saving other animals from a monsters stomach

Majority of religions tell us how earth was created along with mankind. The Hindu religion believe their creator to be Ganesha, Muslims speak of their creator as the name of ‘Allah’ Sikhs call to their creator by the name of ‘Waheguru’. Every religion believes their God to be the creator of man kind and the universe, however each one is called by a individual name and stories of how they created us and the world differ.


Responsible for many things, including the Milky Way (see BLACK-GOD) and the diversity of mankind (see HUMAN-MAKER), there are more stories about him than stars in the sky. He ought to have his own website. (Saunders C, Peter A:1999-2008)

A creator is often analysed upon outside theology but daily quest upon, as to how was man first formed and where did it all begin? Darwin proves to us all that man will go to great lengths to seek where he has come from. The Big Bang tells us of how earth was first formed and rational arguments are put across in order to achieve an understanding of our universe and ultimate creator.

In Chelan myths, Coyote belongs to the animal people but he is at the same time "a power just like the Creator, the head of all the creatures" 5. Yet his being 'just like the Creator' does not really mean being 'the Creator': it is not seldom that Coyote-Just-Like-Creator is subject to the Creator, Great Chief Above, who can punish him, send him away, take powers away from him, etc (Kazakova, T. 2004)

Coyote is the Trickster which can be punished for doing either good or bad. He usually sets about to disrupt and cause havoc. Many of Coyote’s stories establish him doing a mis deed or performing some reckless behaviour.

The trickster, who is almost always male, represents uncertainty. He loves to upset things and spread confusion.

Sometimes the trickster's acts are comic pranks, but they often have a cruel side as well. They might involve sexual trickery, as when the trickster disguises himself as a woman so that he can marry a man or marries his own daughters while in disguise. A trickster can also be a devilish figure who eats babies or leads other creatures to harm themselves. His behaviour often stems from impatience or from uncontrollable appetites. (Native American Mythology, Encyclopedia of Myths:2008)

Coyote--wanderer, glutton, lecher, thief, cheat, outlaw, clown, pragmatist, survivor. In the desert Southwest US, where I grew up, coyote the trickster still plays an important pragmatic and ceremonial role in the lives of Native American people. (David W. Fanning: 2006)

The Great Spirit is Coyote’s ultimate creator. The Great Spirit is used in a healing ceremonies which the Natives use to perform a ceremony which is to cure any illness.

Creators, Gods, and Spirits. Many Native American mythologies have a high deity—sometimes referred to as the Great Spirit—who is responsible for bringing the universe or the world into existence. Often, however, the Great Spirit merely begins the process of creation and then disappears or removes itself to heaven, leaving other gods to complete the detailed work of creation and to oversee the day-to-day running of the world.
In the Pacific Northwest tradition, Coyote is mostly mentioned as a messenger, or minor power, "Coyote was sent to the camp of the chief of the Cold Wind tribe to deliver a challenge; Coyote travelled around to tell all the people in both tribes about the contest." Coyote "was cruelly treated, and his work was never done." 7. (Native American Mythology, Encyclopedia:2008)

The Great Spirit therefore represents the good, healing mankind, an ultimate force which can help protect and cure whereas and the Coyote is evil, much in the same way as seeing the other force as the Devil, Satan, temptation, a sin.

Pairs and Opposites. A number of Native American mythologies feature paired or opposing characters or qualities. Twins or sets of brothers appear in many myths and legends. For example, in Iroquois mythology, Earth Woman gives birth to the twin brothers Good Twin and Evil Twin. Good Twin creates light, forests and food plants, while Evil Twin creates impassable mountains, mosquitoes, and a toad that drinks all the water. After a long struggle, Good Twin finally kills Evil Twin. However, Evil Twin's soul and his creations survive to make life difficult for the people that Good Twin brings into being.

Many stories told within religions perceive the Devil at attempting to gain control of God and humanity by employing some temptation for man to give into, therefore one ‘gives in to the Devil.’

Stories within the Bible shows how the beginning of time came about through ‘Adam and Eve’ and also shows us how ‘Good’ and ‘Evil’ came to be our balance of life. Eve’s giving into temptation allows the Devil to control life.

In all religions there is a Creator known to everyone under an individual name. They are available in many forms. Whoever we may call are creators they provide us with the unique balance in life of both good and bad.

My religion being Sikh does not state the form of God, however it is does tell that there is ‘Only one God‘- Whatever he may be.

"God is everyone, everything. He is the ultimate creator which comes in all forms. He is both human and animal. Present and invisible. He is the driving force which creates a balance of both pure and evil."

References

1. Hifler, J.S (1992) A Cherokee Feast of Days. Council Oak Books

2. Kazakova, T (2004) Coyote [Online] available from: http://www.pantheon.org/articles/c/coyote.html [accessed 20.3.2009]

3. Stefko, J (2007) Coyote, Pagan Symbol: Trickster [online] available from: http://paganismwicca.suite101.com/article.cfm/coyote_pagan_symbol_trickster
[accessed: 19.03.2009]

4. Saunders, C: Peter, A (2006) Gods from Native American Mythology,
COYOTE [online] available from: http://www.godchecker.com/pantheon/native_american-mythology.php?deity=COYOTE

5. Native American Mythology (2008) Native American Mythology,Encyclopedia of Myths [online] available from: http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Mi-Ni/Native-American-Mythology.html

Response to the Headdress.

When viewing the Native American headdress it becomes apparent it carries with it the history of it’s time.

When looking at the Native American wearing a headdress it illustrates it being a symbol of both honour and pride.

I am drawn back to my own culture which is Indian and my own religion which is Sikh.

Like the Native headdress, my own culture wears a headdress. The Turban.

The Headdress is identified as belonging to an ‘other’ a whole different culture to my own.

Due to the craftsmanship and materials used it addresses a point that this culture has worked hard to gather these materials and make the headdress.
This to me symbolises the divide between our day-to-day life and the skills required for the Natives to survive.

It seems to be by putting this headdress on one becomes somehow more respectful and holds more status within God’s eye’s and the community which they live within.

It makes a statement of belonging to a community and feeling proud of symbolising their identity. As if purposely making a stand against those who feel threatened by them and see them as an ’other’.

I can relate to this in the same way although I do not wear a turban as it is not permitted for me to do so, I do wear a ‘Karah’ a symbol of my beliefs, culture and belonging to the Sikh community. I wear this with pride and knowledge that others seeing this will know that I am Sikh. I feel the need to emphasis my belonging to that community and make those around me who believe I wish to be like the white man I am only too proud to belong to my community. I also wish for them to feel ‘other’ to me-To make it clear I have an identity which is different form their own.

I feel the need to gain a sense of the headdress’s time and history. I wish to also be their with my own people making a stand for our beliefs and culture, against those whom discriminate us.

The headdress seems free of everyday ordinary life and carries with it an ‘aura’ of something more, an identity.

For me this aura is similar to the one the Turban carries of greatness, community, culture, beliefs, belonging and ultimately the feeling of being closer to God.

The Indian people wear their turban as a sign of belonging to their religion or culture. However for the Sikh the turban is primarily worn to symbolise ones belonging to the Sikh faith. One that is worn with pride and in wearing must be respected. It seems that the one who wears it will respect the actions it carries and go by the foundations set in their culture.

“It distinguishes Sikh men and it represents honour and dignity”. Oxford Sikhs (2008)

To not be a sinner and to do everything in their power to be a good Sikh. In the eyes of the community he is seen as a ‘Pure’ Sikh a practicing religious person who does everything in his power to be God’s child.

“I have made this body and mind a sacrifice, a sacrificial offering to the lord. Dedicating my body and mind, I have crossed over the terrifying world-ocean, and shaken off the fear of death.” (Guru Arjan Dev, Chant, pg. 576)

Sikh’s however wear turbans for religious purposes to cover their uncut hair. Which is commonly known as a ‘Pug’. Sikhs call it a ‘dastar‘-a more respectful Punjabi word for a Sikh turban.

The symbolisms of wearing a turban are many from it being regarded as a symbol of sovereignty, dedication, self-respect, courage and piety but the reason all practicing Sikhs wear the turban is just one - out of love and obedience of the wishes of the founders of their faith.

The headdress seems to be a symbolic way to respect many beliefs and religions across the globe-the Native American, Sikhs, Hindu's and Muslims.

The turban's importance can be found in just about every culture and religion, starting with the ancient Babylonians to western religions such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as well as eastern traditions.

When entering and praying at a temple it is important for all Sikhs to cover their heads as a sign of respect for God. Other members of religions are also required to do the same. Hindu's are also required to cover their heads as well as Muslims and Jewish believers. Muslim woman if very religious also wear their hijab whenever leaving the home and in front of all males. This is to ensure they are not tempting a man in any way or trying to appear attractive. A woman is covered so men cannot judge her by her appearance but are forced to evaluate her by her personality, character, and morals. It is also to prevent indecent acts and thoughts by a man towards that woman.


The Old Testament proclaims, "Once they enter the gates of the court", implying God's court, "they are to wear linen vestments. They shall wear linen turban."

Elsewhere in the Old Testament, the significance of the turban is further highlighted:

He put the turban upon his head and set the gold rosette as symbol of holy dedication on the front of the turban as the Lord had commanded him. Moses then took the anointing oil, anointed the Tabernacle, and all that was within it and consecrated it. (Leviticus 8,9)

Set the turban on his head and the symbol of holy dedication on the turban. Take the anointing oil, pour it on his head and anoint him. (Exodus 29-6)

It begs the question is this why all religions wear it, so God can only judge you by your true being and not by how you appear to be. Or in the Sikh religion to make everyone somehow equal and nobody as more attractive as another. It seems to me by covering your hair you are purposely not caring about your looks and only thinking about God when being present at God's House. This however is speculation. It is however clear covering the head and headdresses have a clear importance in many religions. Christianity also makes reference to the significance of the Turban in the Old Testament.

The turban has been an integral part of the Sikh Tradition since the time of Guru Nanak Dev. Historical accounts relay to us that all Sikh Gurus wore turbans and their followers --Sikhs-- have been wearing them since the formation of the faith.

By wearing a turban one at a closeness to God and making themselves a symbol of the Sikh faith and their community.

It distinguishes a Sikh as an instrument of the Guru and decrees accountability for certain spiritual and temporal duties. It is a mark of the Guru and declares that the Sikh wearing a turban is a servant of the Divine Presence.

Any religious person wearing a turban for religious purposes or simply to portray their culture or status to others is becoming a representative of their community. By being a representative one's actions are seen as a reflection on their faith or culture-whatever it may be. By wearing a Turban in religious terms means your closeness to God will enable him to judge you even further as you are clearing marking and symbolising your belonging to that faith.

Just by being exposed to this regal quality, their attitudes and psyche get shaped in a certain way. At the same time, there is a great deal of responsibility accompanied by the turban. A person's actions are no longer just tied to him or her. Since Sikhs who wear the turban represent the Guru, their actions too reflect on the Guru and the Sikh Nation. In this sense, the turban serves to increase a Sikh's commitment to Sikhism and lends to him or her becoming a more disciplined and virtuous person.

Turbans come in many shapes, sizes and colours-depending on region, cultures and religion. This is similar to the headdress worn by the Native Americans. They too have many different headdresses depending on geographical location, tribes and cultures and are made from materials which are within their radius. The Native American is able to identify, different tribe members and beliefs the person follows by looking at the headdress worn by the person. In my culture we are able to acknowledge the differences between religion, culture and social status through the ‘Pug’ which he or she wears.
Asian community’s also wear half a turban called ‘turbs’.
Majority of Asians including Sikhs use a long strip of cloth (any colour) and wind this round their heads. The cloth can be up to 5 meters long.
Some turbans can be brought already in shape and pre-set or sewn to wear.
The turban can vary in size also depending on region, culture and religion.
The turban is primarily known and worn by the Sikh religion and commonly if a religious Sikh man who has
joined the Khalsa the turban will be orange to identify him to the Sikh faith.











(Amrit) -Joining the Khalsa permits you to not cut your hair and wear the turban. This is so others are aware of your status and identity. Most Sikhs do this stage of their life when they are older. This can be seen in the same way the Natives gain the right to wear a headdress once they have reached a certain age.

“The word Khalsa means ‘pure’, Khalsa’s which have undergone the sacred Amrit ceremony initiated by the 10th Sikh.” Brar, Singh. S (1998)

Woman do not usually wear turbans when joining the Khalsa, however can do so.

Jats; the highest cast and Rajputs; another high cast wear a distinctive turban, so they can be recognised.
Rajputs- coloured turbans and Jats-Mainly White.


The Style of the turban can change within every village, just like the headdress for the Native. The turbans size is also an indication of your social status -Jats wear much larger turbans to lower casts e.g. Ni-Haircutters.
Dhakan (Carpenters) don’t cover their ears and their turbans sit much lower on their head.

Nihang Singhs wear very elaborate turbans to show their status of being a war soldier in history and are very well respected by the Sikh community.














They are known as ‘armed Sikhs’.

Young boy Sikhs wear very small imitations of turbans. The child ties their hair on top of their head and places a cloth on top with a hair band. This is more commonly known as the bobble top or top knot. This is comparable to the Native Americans:

“Most of these headdresses were never worn by children. Native American boys usually began wearing porcupine roaches as teenagers, when they were ready to become warriors and earned good honours. The most common are beaded headbands like the one this Ho-Chunk child is wearing”. Redish, L (1998-2008)










Native boys beginning to claim their place as a warrior shares a similarity to the Sikh religion. All male Sikhs are given a middle name called ‘Singh’ This means ‘Warrior’. The symbol which shows the boy becoming a warrior can be seen through his given birth title and his
turban.


Other Indian men whom are not Sikh, often wear turbans to signify class, caste, profession i.e. Hindu’s . It is however not religiously permitted for them to do so.

A person can identify whether a a person is Sikh or Hindu, as Sikh’s will always keep a beard with a turban. Most Hindu’s whom wear the turban do not tend to grow their hair nor do they keep beards.




















Other Indian men may also choose to wear a turban to show their high status i.e. a prince This can be made from expensive material and implanted with jewels, however is not common.

















Muslim religious elders also wear a type of turban, however it is simply a material wrapped round a cap. This cap is called ‘Kalansawa’. The shape can either be spherical or conical again they range according to region. The colour white is thought to be religious as is green in the Muslim religion as it is known as the colour of paradise, however the turban can be worn in any colour. Not many Muslims wear turbans most wear caps to pray.


There are many different styles of turbans previously discussed through the Sikh religion depending on casts, however there are also many other Asians whom wear Turbans other than the ones already mentioned.


These are:

Afghan men
Iranian
The Kaffiyeh
Dessert People

The differences in Native American Headdresses.

Not all Indigenous Americans are alike, nor do they speak the same language or follow the same cultures. Each individual tribe has it’s own language and culture. This has been determined by their geographical location.
Their environments are very different from one another and therefore live in different habitats, eat different foods and have different clothes-due to their different materials.
Each tribe can tell another tribe by their differing clothes etc.


A few of the Native Headdresses are explained below.

Eagle Feathers- Chiefs of elders. Typically worn by Plain tribes and Northern Woodland tribes.
Another form these tribes called roach-made from deer’s tail and porcupines hair that grows up between their quills. These are worn on top and in the center number of feathers show the history of the person who wears it.
Plains and Woodland wear their headdresses on top of head, slightly towards back of their head. Shorter red coloured hair taken from deer’s tail.
Another type of roasch is circular roasch, worn right on the crown of the back of the head or slightly lower at the back of head. These are worn by Southern Woodland tries (Tsalagi people).
Number of Eagle feathers worn with this headdresses also tells the history of the person. This again is similar to the different sizes of turbans worn by different casts within the Sikh and Hindu community’s to show their social status within society.
Typical North and Southern Woodland/ Southern plains -wear turban’s depending on their tribe-either woven in traditional design or made of cloth. These our contemporary headdresses. Our version of contemporary headdresses are
Mandan and Cheyenne Dog Soldiers who come from the Plains tribes, however some Northern and Southern tribes also wear this type of headdresses but with small feathers-usually from a bird of prey.
A traditional headdresses may consist of single or multiple feathers tied into hair. The way in which the feathers worn tells the warriors history of the how many lives he took and enemies he came in contact with.

My Native American Headdress.

The Headdress which I feel I can relate to most is the Cherokee Turban . The Cherokee Turban was first introduced by King George’s ministers.


.















Along with them came garments which were worn for special occasions. These were worn among the Eastern-Tribes.

“At first Cherokee’s made additional turbans from expensive imported cloths, but with the introduction of the spinning wheel by George Washington, the Cherokee’s began making their own cloth.” Cherokee Turbans (Unknown)


The spinning wheel can also be seen on the Indian flag as a symbol of India‘s history.








It is in memory of Ghandi who told the Indian people to not buy materials from other countries but instead to make their own cotton for use, using the spinning wheel.
This was due to not wanting the British to trade to India, so they could not make money through India. These materials could be used to make turbans and many other Indian garments.


Prejudice against the Turban.

Due to its distinguishable nature, the turban has often been a target during times of persecution. There have been times in the relatively short history of the Sikh nation that if one wore a turban, it was reason enough for his or head to be cut off by the tyrannical regimes of the time. The collective response of the Sikh Nation was "You may take off my head but not my turban." When many discarded their turbans, those that proudly adorned them in those times, even though it meant certain death, fully appreciated its significance. After all, it is in times of adversity that faith is tested and one must prove true to core values.

The next time you see a Sikh, greet him or her and know that the turban you see is the same turban and stood up against oppression against those identified as lower castes in India, tyranny in WWI, the Nazi empire in WWII.


References.

1. S, Singh, Dhami (2008) Restoring the Pride [online] Dashmesh Pictures Available from: Date [accessed: 17/03/2009]

2. The Seattle Times: Northwest Life (2007)Understanding Turbans [online] Publisher
Available from: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/news/lifestyles/links/turbans_27.html [Date Accessed: 17/03/2009]

3. Oxford Sikhs (No Date) Sikhs in Oxford [online] available from: http://www.oxfordsikhs.com/MeraPunjab/PunjabiHeritage/default-aspx [Date Accessed: 17/03/2009]

4. The Khalsa (1998) The Sikhism Home Page [online] Sandeep Singh Brar.
Available from: http://www.sikhs.org.khalsa.htm [Date Accessed: 17/03/2009]

5. Native American Headdresses (No Date)Native American Headdresses [online] Available form: http://www.native-languages.org/headdresses.htm Date Accessed: 17/03/2009

6. Cherokee Turbans (No Date) Cherokee Turbans by Liz [online]
Available from http://www.cherokeeturbans.com/ [Date Accessed: 17/03/2009]

7. Access Genealogy (2004-2009) Native American Indian Genealogy
[online] Access Genealogy. Available from: http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native[Date Accessed: 17/03/2009]