Tibetan Custom – Tibetan Headwear

In Tibetan custom, Tibetan headwear includes Tibetan hat, hairstyle and ornaments.

Tibetan Custom – Tibetan Hat

There are various kinds of hat in Tibet. Based on different season, prefecture, status, occasion and personal preference, Tibetans will wear different hats.

In pasturing areas, Tibetans can wear felt hats for four seasons of one year. The felt hat is a kind of top hat with wide brim. It looks like an upside down turned trombone. This kind of felt hat is very suitable for the changeable climate on plateau. It not only can block sunshine and keep off rain, but also can keep warm.

In farming areas, men and women, old and young, love wearing a kind of Golden Flower Hat which is named "Ciren Jingar". The Golden Flower Hat is made up of good Pulu. The top of this kind of hat is covered by golden satin with various beautiful patterns, and the brim is decorated with golden strings. There are four wings on Golden Flower Hat, with two larger wings in front and on back and two smaller wings on left and right. The brim of Golden Flower Hat is rimed with fur.

Except for Golden Flower Hat, Tibetans in cities and towns also wear derby hat in festivals. The derby hat is named "Jiaga Xiamo". This kind of derby hat is very light and convenient. It not only has the function of blocking sunshine and keeping off rain, but also can set off the refined and courteous manners of the people with it. The color of Tibetan derby hat is various, including buff, grey, green, purplish blue, dark reddish purple, etc.

Except for these hats which are adorned in daily life, in some specific occasions or Tibetans with special occupation, Tibetans will wear special hats. For example, adult man will wear a kind of round and wide hat with red tassels on Horse Riding Festival, and young horsemen will wear white felt hat with red cusp.

Tibetan Custom – Tibetan Hairstyle and Ornaments

The difference of hairstyle and ornaments is very obvious in different prefectures. The hairstyle and ornaments can be roughly divided into Northern Tibet Style, Weizang Style and Eastern Tibet Style.

In Northern Tibet, married women will divide hair from middle and twist several thin and long braids on both sides. At the spot where hair is parted on forehead, wear some coral, jadeite or some other jewelry on one of the braids on each side. Then, twist a thick braid on back of head, and decorate it with large and small silver products and other ornaments.

In Weizang Prefecture, women in farming areas only twist two braids. Women will use a kind of hair ornament which is named "Zhaxiu" to twist with hair from middle part of the braids, and coil the braids on the head or hang down on back. In festivals or important days, women in farming areas will wear various hair ornaments too. But these hair ornaments are separate composite unit with different shapes. When wear these hair ornaments, they only connect these hair ornaments with the braids. Girls are used to comb one braid and do no wear any hair ornaments.