Pastel sriped hats and vests

I earlier noticed a picture of Kami Sherpa wearing a long vest with matching hat that had pastel stripes. Now I notice a similar fez shaped cap on Ganga Ram.

Is there a story about this/these patterns? Are they a holdover from traditional dress?
Who wears them? Are there regional differences in the colors? I had a pair of sheets, and a couple blousson valances the patterns remind me of. They are very pretty, but I don't know that I'd want to go walking down the streets of ( especially ) San Francisco wearing clothes like that. ( Wouldn't want to be doing false advertising, LOL, shows the difference in culture. )
 
Bill Martino

Bill Martino

Joined
Mar 5, 1999
Messages
34,096
The little cap is called a "topi" and everybody (except women) wears them, even the king. HMG employees usually wear a black one. I wore a black topi and was sometimes asked if I worked for HMG.

Topis seem to be personal preference and if there are styles or colors associated with regions or castes I don't know about it.

Uncle Bill

 
When I was traveling to Bangla Desh, Northen India and Pakistan - I noticed that peoples there are wearing the same attire as wear by Ganga Ram 1)Head gear - "topi" or turban 2)Long shirt - "kurta" 3)Vest or a type hunting vest with collar 4)Lose Trousers - "salwar" 5)Blanket.
I guess this clothing tradition was spread in that Himalayan area since long ago. Pakcik Bill & Sonam should know better.
 
Sonam knows better than me, Mohd. I lived mostly with the Sherpas and their traditional dress is completely different as you can see from the few pix I posted.

Uncle Bill
 
:
Hmmmm.
A turban,loose shirt,long vest,loose pants and a blanket.
Sounds like the Old Ani-Yunwiya( Real People) or old land Cherokee garb.

I would like one of those turbans or topi.
That would be something I could put my crossed Kukuri pin on and wear on my walks.Unlike San Fransisco I wouldn't be inviting any questionable offers.Especially carrying a little Kuhkuri.[-vbeseg-]
So what about it Uncle?? After all it is Himalayan Imports.
Jist tzn.Don't let me rile yer ulcer.

Seriously I would like one though.
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>>>>---¥vsa---->®
The civilized man sleeps behind locked doors in the city while the naked savage sleeps (with a knife) in a open hut in the jungle.

 
Ask and ye shall receive. Kami is bringing a few topis. Remind us, Yvsa, when he gets here and I'll send yours.

Uncle Bill
 

I went to an SCA event over the weekend (it's like a medieval Redezvous), and people were much impressed with my village sirupati. The question came up, what would traditional Nepali / Gurkha clothing be in the 500-1600 AD era? and would the knife have to be any different to be in period? I think the curved back (not angled) is more like the ancient greek kopis and the falcata, so I would guess a Ganga Ram special is a more period blade, and I bet attaching the scabbard to yr belt is not as period as tucking it into yr sash.

I guess the authority on such things would be the Gurkha Museum. Anybody have their address?

I've been going to these events as a Viking for years now. Probably time for a change. A khukri is definately easier to wear all day than a sword is, and the clothes look much more comfortable for summer afternoons.

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Namaste,
Jeff Paulsen
 
"Topi" is the general word for cap in Nepali, Hindi and related languages. The Nepalese cap you see in the pictures is the "Dhaka-topi". Frequently, it has stripes with patterns on them, the color combination of which is usually white, red and black. When in solid colors, it is mostly in black. It is of fairly simple construction, and yes, people sometimes DO pin khukuri crests on these caps. Several Gurkha battalions in the Indian Army make their own "unofficial" dhaka-topis of thicker cloth, sometimes wool, and in regimental colors, with their crests pinned on the sides.

The common dress worn by Nepalese men is the "Daurey-Sural", consisting of a loose fitting top and closer fitting pants (almost Jodhpur-like). A wide sash is tied around the waist. Traditionally, the khukuri is slid between the folds of this sash in an angle. A waistcoat is also frequently worn. Unlike a western shirt which buttons down the middle, the Nepalese top usually is of an overlapping design, with one button/tie-point on one side of the neck (right side, I think)and another on the side of the armpit. For a clearer picture of a "Dhaka-topi, daurey-sural" combo, check out Himalayan Imports website - go to the "Another HI website" link, and see the sketches on the 10th Gurkha Rifles postcards.

And yes, even His Majesty, the King of Nepal can frequently be seen in this dress, complete with a khukuri between the sash.

Hope this helps.

- Sonam
 
:
Uncle Bill:
Wado equa!! (Thank you Big.(sorta) )
to Kami Sherpa.
I will sure enough wear mine.I might start a new (old) trend among the Cherokee.That would be a good thing.

The plains Indins got most of the publcity and noteriety,but the eastland tribes were no slouches when it came to defending the homeland.
We were just assimilated first."Ressistance is futile"? I wonder if that's where they got that saying?LOLOL.

Dragging Canoe got his name because he wanted to go on the warpath with his father and uncles.He was to young and they wouldn't let him.He was determined to go and started dragging a canoe across a sandbar,hence his name.He became very famous and was the creator of the Chickamauga Confederacy.He sent two of his brothers to the north,I remember one was at Detroit,but I need to read where the other one was stationed.
This was to enlist the aid of the Mohawk and the Huron.

Most people just kind of discount the eastern tribes because the history isn't taught much.
The "Sioux" were caught between the Iroquois and Cherokee and run out of North Carolina many moons ago.They went on to become some very fierce and determined fighters after being driven from the woodlands by the encroachment of other people fleeing from the east.When they got the horse they were very formidable as everyone knows.
The Cherokees favorte weapon was the warclub.That says a lot for them.
I doubt that they ever hunted Elk with them though,like that question in the general forum a while back.
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We need an Icon with "the tongue in cheek" symbol somehow.
wink.gif


How did I go from 'topi's' to this?
Oh! Cherokee thing!
wink.gif

Thanks to all for putting up with me.


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>>>>---¥vsa---->®
The civilized man sleeps behind locked doors in the city while the naked savage sleeps (with a knife) in a open hut in the jungle.

 
Don't forget the Shawnee, Yvsa. Around the time of the Revolution the Shawnee really gave the settlements hell! Not that anyone could blame them. We treated them very poorly and continuously stole their land and broke our treaties.


Mike
 
Kami is bringing about 20 topis unless he forgets -- like I probably would. Anybody who wants one jump him when he gets here and ask him for a topi.

Uncle Bill
 
YVSA,the Sioux were run out of Minn. by the Chipawa in the 1850`s.Where did you get your crossed khukri pin?Would it work for a beret?
 
The Brits recorded everything. I would try the Imperial War Museaum

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