Pakul

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (May 2008) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

The pakul is a soft, round-topped Afghan men's hat, typically of wool and found in any of a variety of earthy colors: brown, black, gray, or ivory. Before it is fitted, it resembles a bag with a round, flat bottom. The wearer rolls up the sides nearly to the top, forming a thick band, which then rests on the head like a beret or cap. Alternate spellings include pakoul or pakol. The pakul gained some attention in the West in the 1980s, as it was a favored head covering for Afghan mujahideen who fought the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan (1979–1989).

The hat is worn in Northern Pakistan, Northern India and in Uzbekistan as well. In Pakistan, it is particularly popular in the North West Frontier Province and Northern Areas such as Gilgit and Hunza. In India, it is popular in the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.

More recently, the pakul has been worn by such disparate types as Osama Bin Laden and Ahmad Shah Massoud, the assassinated military leader of the Afghan Northern Alliance.