# Sikhs, turbans, and baldness

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sikhs-turbans-and-baldness/254569>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 11, 2004, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sikhs-turbans-and-baldness/254569 "2004-07-11T15:51:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2004, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sikhs-turbans-and-baldness/254569/1 "2004-07-11T15:51:02Z")

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From this web site describing some of the basics of [Sikhism](http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/sikhism8.html):

> [@](#):
>
> The most important and noticeable thing about Sikhs is their distinctiveness in appearance, especially because of a turban and well kept long hair and beard.
> 
> Guru Nanak himself started this tradition of keeping hair intact and covering the head with a turban.
> 
> …
> 
> A Sikh should treat his hair as a gift from God himself. It is His trust. To keep this God-given form intact is the first and foremost duty of a Sikh. The hair is a symbol of faith, and keeping long hair confirms a Sikh’s belief in the acceptance of God’s Will, and teaches him Humility and Acceptance.

So, a couple of hopefully not-too-stupid questions (hey, we’re fighting ignorance, right?)

1. How do Sikhs view baldness? Is it a sign of disfavor from God, or just a natural part of the aging process?
2. If you are bald, do you still have to wear a turban?

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**Author:** ![noname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/58f4c7/32.png) [@noname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/noname)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2004, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sikhs-turbans-and-baldness/254569/2 "2004-07-11T17:07:04Z")

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> [@Shoeless](#):
>
> From this web site describing some of the basics of [Sikhism](http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/sikhism8.html):
> 
> 1. If you are bald, do you still have to wear a turban?

The [Indian PM is bald](http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/686276.cms) (4th para, 10th line), but he still wears the turban.

Can’t help you with the first q, though.