Over the years I have always had a fascination for turbans and head wraps. Following the many articles and news reports in this decade regarding Muslim women in particular who wear hijabs or burkas with curiosity and confusion (being a feminist), loving the elegant look of a head wrap in the African traditions and the serene look of the Sufi women, I decided to learn how to wrap my head about a month ago. This seemed daunting at first as I am definitely a glow-in-the-dark white woman (having had skin cancer on my face and very fair skin, I don't let my skin get exposed to the sun much). How was I going to do it so that I didn't look like I was going to a costume party or trying to be something I wasn't? I wanted to honor the traditions of others and to fully express myself at the same time.
One of my reasons for wanting to wrap my head is that I always feel different in a ritual or religious setting when I have pulled a shawl up to cover my head. I find that it gives me the sense of being cloistered in my devotions and affords me a way to more fully focus on the internal connection with Divinity. I wanted to see if wrapping my head in daily life would also have a spiritual benefit for me. There is a teaching in many cultures and religions that when you cover your hair, you can minimize the interference of chaotic energy around you, it affords one a shield of protection from negative energy as well. Our hair acts as antennae. It is just one of the ways available to use to stay centered within the core of one's being.
I researched the turbans of the Sufi, men and women, the head wraps of some of the African nations and the many ways to wear an Islamic hijab, the headscarves of the orthodox Jewish women, the caps of the Amish and Mennonite, the coverings of the Roman Catholic sisters and the Orthodox Christian clergy and customs associated with them, both secular and religious. What I have come up with is what works for me, and in no way is reflective of what I think anyone else should do. I merely offer this sharing of my journey as another possibility.
I use sarongs, scarves, shawls and simple lengths of fabric to wrap my head, whatever I have on hand or find or have gifted to me. The basic look is the same, regardless of what fabric, it's size or color. Using two pieces for the look I feel is correct for me, the first is used to wrap a turban in the simplest way that works for the choice I made for the day, and then I drape another piece, co-ordinating with my turban and clothes for the day, either in a traditional hijab style or the way the Sufi women do with their chunis. It is a lovely drape that covers my shoulders, neck, head, throat and bosom with my face fully exposed. And I wear full makeup. (Will add some photos when I can get the camera to upload to my computer properly.)
12/03/2010 Addition
For a few weeks, I wrapped at home, getting used to the feel and the look. Last Sunday I warily ventured out in public for the first time. The scarf I had been drooling over that I spoke about last post was the outer drape and a solid rayon shawl was fashioned into a co-ordinating turban underneath it. Wearing it to church I figured was the least scary place to wear it to first, as my reputation for being different and eccentric is already well known there! Being a consecrated Bishop with Apostolic Succession, I have worn a clerical collar often enough over the past 10 years that I am used to being stared at due to unconventional attire. But this is a more noticeable look. People came up to me, friend and stranger alike, saying that is looked right on me and fit me. Silly me for being concerned! So far, I have not had the opportunity to go out in public since Sunday, other than to the mail box at end of my driveway, still not driving till brace is off. Will let you know how that fares as it occurs.
There has been an interesting awareness that I have had wearing my head wrapped with the second piece covering me from top of head to my elbows, with my face showing. It has really afforded me the experience of feeling the teaching that we are NOT our bodies, that we are more than that. My focus is OFF what people think of my breasts, my age revealing neck, or my hairstyle and ON the centeredness I feel, not balancing my worldly life with my spiritual life, but including, blending, my worldly life into my spiritual life. As I said before, I am not advocating this for anyone, but merely offer it as an example of one way of bringing the worldly life into alignment with ones spiritual life.
And it doesn't hurt that I don't have to worry about bad hair days anymore!!!
Namaste'.
"May the Peace which passes all Understanding and the Understanding which brings Peace be yours today and all the days of your life."
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