Akufi orkufi cap is a brimless, short, and roundedcap worn by men in many populations inNorth Africa,East Africa,West Africa,South Asia, and theMiddle East.[1] It is also worn by men throughout theAfrican diaspora. The cap has strong associations with manyIslamic cultures andpan-African pride.[2] In the United States and the United Kingdom, it is also called a "taqiyah".[3][4][5][6]
The kufi cap is not specific to any one country, although it has been perhaps most associated withNigeria.[7] InTogo, the kufi is made from colourful fabrics, and are often worn during important events such as weddings, festivals, and other ceremonies.[8] In MamaTchamba performances, the kufi is worn as anadornment during dances.[9] Within Islamic communities in West Africa the kufi is worn duringprayer.[10]
The hat has strong associations with manyIslamic cultures, as well asPan-African pride.[11] InWest Africa, a kufi cap is the traditional hat for men, and is part of thenational costume of most of the countries in the region. It is worn byMuslims, andAfricanChristians. Many grandfathers and other older men wear a kufi every day to symbolize their status as wise elders, religious people, or family patriarchs.[12]
Within theUnited States, it has become identified primarily with persons of West African heritage, who wear it to show pride in their culture, history, and religion (whetherChristianity,Islam, orTraditional African religions). It is often made ofkente cloth,mudcloth, orknitted orcrocheted in a variety of yarns.[citation needed]
Crown style kufis are the traditional hat worn with formal West African attire.[13] A formaldashiki suit will always include a crown style kufi, while the knitted style is most appropriate for non-formal occasions. Other caps worn with the dashiki,Senegalese kaftan, andgrand boubou, include:[citation needed]
However, the crown style kufi is most common.[citation needed]
In the United States today, manyAfrican-Americans wear the kufi duringweddings,funerals,graduations andKwanzaa celebrations. Furthermore, people of mainly West African heritage of all faiths wear the kufi, although it is associated more with members of the Islamic faith.[citation needed]
A West African king or tribal chief may have royal or noble arms embroidered on the kufi.[citation needed]
For members of theChristian faith, the kufi is unisex, and is also worn by women. Crochet and knitted styles are preferred by young girls and infants.[citation needed]
Traditionally, when worn by men, the kufi is a sign of peace, mourning, renewal or protection of the mind.[citation needed]
In theYoruba language,Ade means crown, andfila means cap. The city of Kufi is located inYorubaland nearIbadan. Other West African names includefula,fila, andmalo hat.[14] This cap is called akofia in theSwahili language ofEast Africa[15] (see thekanzu article for further information). In theUnited States, the West African name,kufi, is most commonly used.[citation needed]
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Jazz rock/jazz fusionWeather Report frontman and keyboardistJoe Zawinul wore kufi caps for a long time, both on stage with the band and outside of it, in his private/personal life. He is known for having changed various kufi models throughout the passing of time as well, as shown in the live performances of Weather Report from the 1970s and 1980s.Progressive rockDutch legendThijs van Leer also wore kufi caps during his early career with his band,Focus, in the 1970s. He can be seen wearing one in the music video for "House of the King" (also thetheme song for the British TV showSaxondale). In addition,Rush drummerNeil Peart took to wearing a kufi during performances after touring Cameroon by bicycle in 1988.[citation needed]
In the beginning of the 2018 Americanaction filmThe Equalizer 2, the character Robert McCall, played byDenzel Washington, is seen disguised as a Muslim and wearing a kufi.[16]
The caps were featured as dancers in the 2018 music video "All the Stars" by the artistKendrick Lamar.[17][18]
Media related toKufi at Wikimedia Commons