Kufi

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An American man wearing a kufi.
An American man wearing a kufi.

A kufi or kufi cap is a brimless, short, rounded cap worn by Muslims and people of African descent.

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[edit] African and African-American Usage

In West Africa, a kufi cap is the traditional hat for men. The kufi has no religious significance. It is worn equally by Christians, Muslims, and followers of African traditional religion. Many grandfathers and other older men wear a kufi everyday to symbolize their status as wise elders, religious people, or family patriarchs. Among Africa's Muslims, white kufis are worn for Friday prayers, by very religious men, and those who have performed the Muslim pilgrimage, see Hajj.

Within the United States, it has become identified with persons of African descent, who wear it to show pride in their culture, history, and religion. Often made of kente cloth or crocheted in a variety of yarns, kufis became popular fashion items throughout hip hop culture during the late-1980s/early-1990s.

Crown style kufis are the traditional hat worn with formal African attire. (see Dashiki). A formal dashiki suit will always include a crown style kufi. While the knit or crochet style is most appropriate for non-formal occasions (see Muslims of Oz). Although Nigerians wear an Aso Oke Hat, and many West African Muslims wear the Jinnah cap, also called a karakul (hat), with their formal attire, see Boubou (clothing), the crown style kufi is preferred by all other African communities. In popular culture, the kufi was featured in the movie Training Day and the Rent (film). Oscar winner, Forest Whitaker wore a kufi in the Species (film).

[edit] Muslim Usage

Muslims also wear kufis. The companions of Muhammad were never seen without their heads being covered. In order to emulate their actions, Muslims throughout the world wear a variety of kufis, caps, and other headgear. Another goal of wearing a kufi is to be more like Muhammad and therefore obey and follow his tradition. Kufis, therefore, are not a modern invention within the US-based Muslim community, but a tradition from antiquity. In fact, ancient Arabs had the habit of always wearing something on their heads. They considered it inappropriate not to wear headgear like the keffiyeh.

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