Hat

1975

This hat comes from the town of Tashqurghan, near Mazar-i Sharif in Northern Afghanistan. The hat is decorated with traditional circular patterns resembling a stylized flower or leaf motif. Such patterns used to be embroidered by hand, but are now applied by sewing machine. The colors have also changed over time. It is an example of the process of industrialization, where new techniques lead to new shapes and colors. \In Northern Afghanistan, hats, kolah, are worn by both men and women. The variation in shapes and especially patterns is enormous. Originally these were linked to the ethnic or geographical origin of the wearers, but nowadays it is hardly possible to make such a distinction. More and more often hats are bought from far away as souvenirs. And because of new manufacturing techniques and changing tastes, new shapes, styles and motifs are constantly emerging.