Headscarf Although it Is Most

Headscarf

Although it is most often associated with Islam, the headscarf has a more multifaceted past. The cultural and historical contexts of women wearing the headscarf are complex, and contrary to popular belief, "the history of the women's veil in the Near East goes back much further than that of Islam," (Enderwitz, 2004). European women often wore headscarves, "albeit in a different form," (Enderwitz, 2004). Therefore, the earliest history of the headscarf cannot even be pinpointed to a specific geographic region or ethnic group. The scarf may have begun simply as a universal headgear, something that might protect the wearer from the elements or something that might offer a fashion statement as well. As Monkevayeva, Baitenova & Mustafaveva (2012) point out, albeit using skewed gender terminology and bad grammar: "since the creation of man, the veil was one of his most basic needs, so he tried every means to cover themselves," (p. 1405). The headscarf features prominently, perhaps most prominently, in Muslim societies and thus the history of the headscarf becomes far clearer in light of Islamic law and the regional cultural traditions that both informed and reformed that law.

The term "hijab" is often used synonymously with headscarf but as the BBC (2009) points out, "hijab goes beyond the headscarf." The term hijab is more general and raises the philosophical questions related to the concept of head covering and the social status of women. Indeed, it is impossible to intelligently discuss the history or phenomenon of headscarf in Muslim societies without referring to gender issues and gender norms. Headscarf has varied and conflicting connotations, and can mean anything from ethnic pride and solidarity to oppression and backwardness (Yassin-Kassab, 2008). A timeline of the headscarf, emphasizing its manifestations in Muslim cultures, reveals some continuity and points of disparity. Turkey is a particularly unique case study in the use of hijab, as the 20th century witnessed a variety of secular reforms including an outright ban on the headscarf in university settings.

7th century -- Quran is codified. Quranic statements related to modesty, dress, and gender become an underpinning of future codes regarding headscarf: women "should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands," (24:31).

9th century -- "the face veil became common, first used among the powerful and rich as a status symbol," as Islam spread throughout the Near East ("Hijab," 2009).

Golden Era of Islam/Medieval Islam -- the headscarf and other forms of hijab reflect the local cultures and ethnicities and their indigenous traditions vis-a-vis a head covering. As a result, there are many different manifestations of the headscarf throughout the Muslim world, which expanded greatly during this time.

1990s -- following a victory by the secular government, the headscarf is banned from college campuses, revealing a significant rift in Turkish society that reflected socio-economic class as well as religiosity (Tavernise, 2008)