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Dhaka topi (Template:Lang-ne) or Nepali topi is a type of brimless cap popular among Nepalis and Indian Gorkha men, along with their diasporas.

Dhaka topi

Dhaka ko Topi literately means a "headgear made of Dhaka cloth", a fine cotton cloth once exclusively imported from Dhaka, the present-day capital of Bangladesh, and similar in shape to the side-cap worn by Mahatma Gandhi.

The Dhaka topi is a part of the Nepalese national dress, and a symbol of Nepalese nationality. Dhaka Topis are given away as gifts during Dashain and Tihar festivals. Dhaka topi is also worn by government officials as a part of the national dress. The badge of kukri cross is worn on the cap largely by officials in Kathmandu or when a Nepalese visit the Palace, and not the lay Nepali.

Although Dhaka clothing no longer dominates Nepalese fashion, it remains an integral part of the society and Nepalese identity. Though Nepalis seldom wear a cap unless they are attending some cultural programme, many men and women still wear costumes made from Dhaka on a regular basis, and it is a common sight on the streets of Kathmandu. Dhaka cloth still play a role in rituals, such as weddings and funerals of many ethnic groups living in the valley. The fabric itself unequivocally represents their tradition and history.

International Nepali Dhoti and Topi Day is an day celebrated by Nepali people globally on 1 January to keep their culture alive. Nepalis of Madhesi and Tharu ethnicity wear Dhoti, wile all Nepali people wear Dhaka and Bhadgaunle topis on that day. Though topis are more prevalent in the day than dhoti, Madhesis have taken the opportunity to promote their distinct identity.

Dhaka cloth

Dhaka, the hand-spun cotton inlay-pattern weaving used to make intricately patterned, colourful cotton panels for Dhaka topis, is the most remarkable and visible cotton textile in Nepal. Pre-dyed cotton is imported from India and weaved by master craftspeople into intricate patterns using only a few colours. The fabric is also used for a type of blouse called dhaka-ko-cholo, literally meaning a "blouse made of dhaka fabric", and shawls for women. Some farmers and weavers have made preliminary trials of a silk Dhaka topi cloth with limited success.

There are different myths about the origin of Dhaka fabric. One story tells that a minister returned from Dhaka, Bangladesh with idea of such a topi, which eventually replaced the traditional black cap in popularity. Another story tells that name is so because the originally cloths and threads for Dhaka topi used to come from Dhaka, often resembling Dhakai muslin (fine cotton of Dhaka). It is also possible that Hindu weavers settled in Nepal to flee Muslim invasion of Bengal. It may be noted that the method of pattern weaving practised around Dhaka, called Jamdani, is considerably different from what is currently practised by Nepalese weavers.

There are a few fragment of Dhaka fabric in the collection of the National Museum of Nepal are assumed to be from early 20th century. It became popular during the reign of King Mahendra, who ruled between 1955 and 1972, and made wearing a Dhaka topi mandatory for official photographs for passports and documents.

Topis

The traditional outfit of Nepali men features Daura-Suruwal (Nepalese shirt and trouser suit), Patuka (cloth wrapped around the waist instead of a belt), ista coat (the Nepalese sleeveless half-jacket) and a topi. The topi can be either black (called bhaad-gaaule or kalo topi) or multicoloured (called Dhaka or Nepali topi). Bhaad-gaaule topis are similar to Dhaka topi but they are black in colour given the fact that they are not made from Dhaka.

Besides Daura Suruwal and Gunyou Cholo (a ghagra-kurta style women's dress) various ethnic groups also wear their own constituent traditional dresses. For instance The Tamang women wear distinctive headgear with an added cotton or woollen wrapper is also worn over the cap. Some Buddhist Tamang women wear Bakhus which are ethnic to the Tibetan people. Dhaka and kalo topis there also are other topis made and worn in Nepal including chuclie topi, birke topi, karchupe topi and cap topi.

Sources

Today craftspeople in Kathmandu are the main producers of the cloth. Other top areas for Dhaka fabric are Palpa District, especially its headquarters Tansen municipality in the middle mountains area and Tehrathum District in the East. The Limbus and Rais of the mid-mountains are famous for their Dhaka cloth. A Dhaka topi industry has been established in Darjeeling by Indian Gorkhas. There are many hand-loom establishments that produce the topi, but still struggle to meet the constantly increasing demand.

Tansen, Palpa is a renowned source of Dhaka topis, is colourful town with Magar, Brahmin, Chhetris with Newars who came in the 19th century to seek their fortune. Apart its famous Dhaka fabric for topic, cholos and shawls, Tensen is also known for its metal craft including Karuwa mugs, jars and other items. It is a custom to buy Palpali Dhaka fabric products as souvenir while visiting the area, including topis, shawls and thailo purses that has two pairs of drawstrings to open and close the purse.

References

1. ^ Roy, Barun (2012). Gorkhas and Gorkhaland. Barun Roy. p. 188. ISBN 9789810786465.
2. ^ Wicks, Len (2014). Discovery: A Story of Human Courage and Our Beginnings. BookBaby. ISBN 9781483532967.
3. ^ Ojha, Ek Raj; Weber, Karl E. (1993). Production Credit for Rural Women. Division of Human Settlements Development, Asian Institute of Technology. p. XXX. ISBN 9789748209715.
4. ^ Kasajū, Vinaya Kumāra (1988). Palpa, as You Like it. Kathmandu: Kumar Press. p. 96.
5. Sales of Dhaka items soar in Palpa district. Madhav Aryal, PALPA
6. "Nepali Dhaka topi: About Nepal and Nepali Language". www.nepalabout.com. Retrieved 2016-02-12.
7. ^ Subba, Tanka Bahadur (1992). Ethnicity, state, and development. Har-Anand Publications in association with Vikas Pub. p. 239.
8. ^ Muzzini, Elisa; Aparicio, Gabriela (2013). Urban Growth and Spatial Transition in Nepal. World Bank Publications. p. 113. ISBN 9780821396612.
9. "People Who wears Dhoti in Nepal : The State Daily".
10. Mishra, Pramod (1 January 2016). "Times of confusion and fusion". Kathmandu Post. Kathmndu, Nepal: Ekantipur. {{cite magazine}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
11. Staff reporter (1 January 2016). "Morcha marks 'Dhoti day' in Kalaiya". Kathmandu Post. Kathmndu, Nepal: Ekantipur. {{cite magazine}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
12. ^ Dunsmore, Susi (1993). Nepalese textiles. UK: British Museum Press. p. 90. ISBN 9780714125107.
13. Poudyal, Anubhuti, "Put a cap on it", ECS Nepal, 12 December, 2013.
14. Dunsmore, Susi (1993). Nepalese textiles. UK: British Museum Press. p. 117. ISBN 9780714125107.
15. Amendra Pokharel,"Dented Pride: The Story of Daura Suruwal and Dhaka Topi", ECS Nepal, 11 July 2010
16. Reed, David (2002). The Rough Guide to Nepal. Rough Guides. p. 583. ISBN 9781858288994.
17. "Nepalese Costume". I am Nepal.
18. Editorial Board (2001). Experience it in Nepal, Mt. Everest & More. Vol. 1. Kathmandu: Nepal Tourism Board. p. 26.
19. Ghimire, Binod; Regmi, Rajesh (2000). Experience Nepal: A Travel Guide. R.G. Publications. p. 104.

External links

• "Nepali Topi, Mark of the Nepali Man". Hotel Shanker. 2014-11-14.
• "Why Nepalis wear a hat most of the time?". quora.com.
• "International Nepali Dhaka topi day celebrated (in photos)".
• David Beckham wears a Dhaka topi, Daily Mail
• Lionel Messi wears a Dhaka topi, Huffington Post

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