# Does Sikhism require a turban, specifically? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 31, 2018, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sikhism-require-a-turban-specifically/815224 "2018-05-31T21:50:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2018, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sikhism-require-a-turban-specifically/815224/1 "2018-05-31T21:50:43Z")
It’s often reported that they require a turban as part of the observant faith. But all I can see in the “official” sources I looked about is that kesh means unshorn hair, and the turban is a traditional way to manage hair. Of course many use [a less traditional turban](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dastar#/media/File:Sikh_Boy_wearing_Patka.jpg) if they’re younger or doing sports etc. while others in the modern era may cut their hair and shave. But for a devout Sikh, are they considered sufficiently observant by other Sikhs if they braid it or something? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2018, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sikhism-require-a-turban-specifically/815224/2 "2018-05-31T22:27:19Z")
Wiki has this: > [@](#): > > The Sikh turban, known as the Dastar or a Dumalla or a “Pagg” cultural name, the turban is used to show others that they represent the embodiment of Sikh teachings, the love of the Guru and dogma to do good deeds,[21] the turban also protects Sikh’s long unshorn hair and keep hair clean. The turban is mandatory for all members of Khalsa (Initiated Sikhs) to wear. The Rajastani turban is also commonly called the pagari (in the West, many Sikhs who wear pagri are sometimes mistaken for Muslims or Arabs.[22]). > > All Sikh Gurus since Guru Nanak have worn turbans. However, covering one’s hair with a turban was made an official policy by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs. The main reasons to wear turban are to take care of the hair, promote equality, and preserve the Sikh identity. Sikh women may wear a turban if they wish. > > SOURCE: [Turban - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turban) ---
**Author:** ![Steken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Steken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steken)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2018, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sikhism-require-a-turban-specifically/815224/3 "2018-05-31T22:28:14Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > many use [a less traditional turban](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dastar#/media/File:Sikh_Boy_wearing_Patka.jpg) The patka, as seen on that pic, is no less traditional than the turban. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2018, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sikhism-require-a-turban-specifically/815224/4 "2018-05-31T22:51:34Z")
Yeah. The OP may just have meant that the patka looks less like what westerners traditionally consider a turban than the pagri/dastar does. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2018, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sikhism-require-a-turban-specifically/815224/5 "2018-05-31T23:05:45Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Wiki has this: That was one of my “yes it is required” cites. The Wikipedia page on kesh and [sikhs.org](http://sikhs.org) suggest that uncut hair is sufficient. Sikhiwiki seems to do so too. > [@Kimstu](#): > > Yeah. The OP may just have meant that the patka looks less like what westerners traditionally consider a turban than the pagri/dastar does. Correct. It just seems that patkas aren’t as good at holding adult-quantities of hair, so are seen more on younger people, but maybe I’m wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2018, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sikhism-require-a-turban-specifically/815224/6 "2018-06-02T22:15:34Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Correct. It just seems that patkas aren’t as good at holding adult-quantities of hair, so are seen more on younger people, but maybe I’m wrong. They hold adult hair just fine. A friend of mine from college called it a “sports turban.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2018, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sikhism-require-a-turban-specifically/815224/7 "2018-06-02T22:36:02Z")
I knew a guy that was a Sihk in high school and didn’t shave and wore the turban. We had a battle of the bands one time at school and he came with out any head gear on with his hair sort of braided but otherwise loose, I had no idea it went all the way to his feet. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2018, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sikhism-require-a-turban-specifically/815224/8 "2018-06-03T12:56:46Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Wiki has this: The page you cite claims that a turban is required but provides no citation for that claim. I’d like to see a source that Sikhs themselves would accept as authoritative—that is, either their original scriptures or commentary thereon by a guru. ---
**Author:** ![geekrish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ce73a5/32.png) [@geekrish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/geekrish)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2018, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sikhism-require-a-turban-specifically/815224/9 "2018-06-05T11:50:44Z")
The Kesh, which can be loosely interpreted as “uncut hair” is one of the mandatory five Ks of Sikhism. We Indians are taught that in school ( I am Hindu ), across India, whatever faith we profess.