Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Putting on a pagh (men)
• Tips

A turban is a type of head covering worn by wrapping cloths around the head. It is traditionally worn by men, especially in South Asia, South East Asia and North Africa. In various faith communities the turban is also worn as a form of worship. The turban is also worn by women in the West. Whatever your reason for putting on a turban, it is important that you know how to master the wrapping technique so that the turban will sit firmly and comfortably on your head. If you want to learn how to put on a turban, go to Step 1 to get started today.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Putting on a pagh (men)

1. Fold the fabric. Fold the pagh in half four times lengthwise, making sure the ends are flush. Ideally, the fabric should be about 6 feet long so that you have enough fabric to cover your head completely. The cloth you start with should be cotton and be as thin as possible. When you folded it four times lengthwise, it should be about 2 inches wide.
   • The easiest way to properly fold the fabric is to enlist the help of a friend or family member. Your friend is holding the fabric across the room and you should both fold the fabric in the same direction at the same time.
   • This is the fabric you will use to make the patka, which is the head covering under the actual pagh. You will then wrap the pagh itself around your head.
2. Get your hair ready. If you have long hair, make it a bun on top of your head. Do this at the front, right above your forehead. Secure your hair with a rubber hair tie. To make a bun in your hair, tilt your head forward and bring all of your hair forward. Grab your hair so that you have a long ponytail and then pull it up towards the center of your head. Twist the hair around a bit and then wrap it around itself in circles. Start in the center of the circle and then work your way out until you have all of your hair wrapped in a bun on top of your head.
   • If your hair is very long, you can use some hairpins to secure it.
   • If you have shorter hair, then you don't have to do anything special to prepare it.
   • It is important that you make your bun tight enough so that it stays in place. However, don't make the bun so tight that it will give you a headache. Once you have your turban wrapped around your head, it will be difficult to do anything about your hair.
3. Fold the fabric in half and hold it against the back of your head, keeping the ends in front of your ears. First fold the fabric to get a kerchief that is about 6 inches wide. Then hold the fabric up to the back of your head and pull the ends of the scarf forward so that you hold them in front of your ears. Make sure you have at least 150 to 180 centimeters of cloth to work with.
   • It helps to lean your head forward a little so that the back of the fabric can be properly placed against the back of your head.
4. Pull the fabric back over your head. Tuck in the fabric in the back and make further adjustments if necessary. With this variant of a headscarf for women you have to cover your hair completely. If you want to leave part of your head uncovered on top, you can just skip that spot when wrapping the fabric around your head.
   • You can use hairpins to help keep the turban in place.

Tips

• There are several ways you can put on a pagh or headscarf. Experiment with different styles and folding techniques.
• If you're using a headscarf, opt for thin, soft fabrics that will stay in place easily. Experiment with different patterns if you are going for an original look.