Headscarf - a cultural beauty of Cham women.

In the sun-drenched and windy land of Khanh Hoa, where the climate is hot and dry almost year-round, the headscarf has long been a familiar item closely associated with the lives of Cham women. Not only does it protect from the sun and wind and keep hair tidy, but the headscarf is also a symbol of modesty, discretion, and a sign of Cham women's religious affiliation.

Items closely associated with daily life.

Due to harsh weather conditions, with strong winds and dust, Cham women often wear headscarves when going outside to protect their health and hair. Over time, the headscarf has not only served a practical purpose but has also become part of traditional attire, showcasing the gentle and graceful beauty of Cham women. Notably, by looking at the headscarf, one can identify which religion a Cham woman belongs to. This is a unique cultural feature of the Cham people that not all communities possess.

The Cham girl is graceful and radiant with her headscarf.

Cham women who follow the Bani Muslim faith often wear a white shawl called akhan mbram . This is a long shawl, hand-woven by women on a traditional loom. The shawl is usually white, with two edges decorated with ancient patterns such as rooster's eyes, vines, rhombuses, geometric patterns... in yellow or green on a red or brown background. The two ends of the shawl are twisted and knotted to create tassels, called bruei baoh raluai . When worn, the woman neatly folds the shawl on her head, letting the two ends hang down behind to cover the nape of her neck. This way of wearing it is called Crah be . In cold weather, the shawl is also used to cover the head and shoulders for warmth. In religious ceremonies, Cham women who follow the Bani Muslim faith wear the mbram shawl over their clothing during rituals.

Meanwhile, Cham women who follow Brahmanism use a shorter headscarf called akhan haluh . The scarf is rectangular, smaller than the mbram, usually white, with parallel colored threads embroidered at both ends. When worn, the scarf is folded diagonally to cover the back of the head, then the two ends are tied in front of the forehead. This method of wearing is called Ikak akaok . In rituals, Cham women who follow Brahmanism also tie a haluh scarf around their waist before performing the ceremony.

The scarf has entered Cham folk songs.

The headscarf is not only a part of the clothing but also features in folk songs, expressing the feelings and spiritual life of the Cham people. In folklore, there is a song about the love between two people of different religions:

Akhan haluh ba tuei akhan mbram

Duei mai matham Cam Thaong Bini

Cam thaong Bini hu min

The reason is that when duis nan nyu ndua

Translation:

Haluh scarf along with mbram scarf

They dragged it back and built a communal house together with the Cham and Bani people.

Just take care of Bani.

Whoever says it's not allowed will bear the consequences!

The traditional headscarf of Cham women.

The lyrics express the desire to overcome religious barriers to find love, and also show that the scarf is not just an object but also carries profound cultural and social significance.

Today, despite many changes in lifestyle, in many Cham villages in Khanh Hoa , women still maintain the custom of wearing headscarves during daily activities and festivals. Therefore, the headscarf is not only a part of traditional clothing but also a symbol of cultural identity, gentleness, and virtue of Cham women. Preserving the headscarf is also preserving a part of the traditional culture of the Cham people through generations.

NIGHTINGALE

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/van-hoa/202604/khan-doi-dau-net-dep-van-hoa-cua-phu-nu-cham-4847547/