Post by kamatay on Apr 8, 2007 10:23:11 GMT -5
According to the internationally known scholar on Afghanistan, Louis Dupree, the pawkul is the regional headgear worn by the men of Nuristan, a region in northwest Afghanistan. Since they are primarily made in Chitral, Pakistan, they are also referred to as "Chitrali caps." In the 1980s, the pawkul was worn by the Afghan Mujahideen who fought against the Soviets. Today, they are worn by the forces of the United Front (Northern Alliance). Ahmed Shah Masood, whose home in the Panjshir Valley was not far from Chitral, as leader of the Northern Alliance, seems to have been influential in popularizing this headgear to be worn by the soldiers. He was assassinated in September, 2001.
The traditional pawkul is made of lamb's wool and is round on top and has a long, cylindrical side, which is worn rolled up in the summer and can be rolled down in winter to protect the ears. It is as comfortable as it is warm. But, it can also be made out of other fabrics such as cotton.
The pawkul is worn in a way that is similar to a beret, but it is adjustable. To adjust the size, the wearer rolls the hat from the base tighter or more loosely to create both the desired fit and style. The inside crown of the hat is lined in a thin satin-like fabric.
Diameter is 10 to 12 inches. Measurements are approximate due to the fact that the hats are handmade; they can vary slightly from one sample to the other.
