When you're traveling through the north of Morocco, undoubtably, you will see colorful Moroccan reed hats dotting the landscape. These are the “sheshia” (also: chichia) hats traditionally worn by the men, women and children of the north.
Why was the fez banned?
The fez, considered a symbol of Islam, was banned outright in Turkey in 1925 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who proclaimed Turkey to be a secular, rather than an Islamic, state (see Atatürk). Although not banned in other countries, the fez gradually fell out of fashion and is rarely seen today.
Who wears a fez and why?
It is now associated with the Moroccan royal court. The King of Morocco, the royal guard, cabinet ministers, and the palace staff all wear fezzes and are the only Arab leaders to do so. The origins of the fez, called the tarboosh by the Moroccans, are in dispute.
What kind of hat do you wear in Morocco?
Is it illegal to wear a fez?
The intention was to replace the turban, which acted as a marker of identity and so divided rather than unified the population. A century later, in 1925, the fez was outlawed in Turkey as part of Atatürk's reforms, although this law has since been revoked as the hat is an international symbol of Turkey.
Where is it illegal to wear a fez?
The Hat Revolution in Turkey resulted in the 1925 legal regulation which intended to regulate men's head-covering practices and make them compatible with the norms in Western countries. Thus, the fez was banned and men were encouraged to wear hats in its place.
What does a Fez hat symbolize?
The fez was a symbol not only of Ottoman affiliation but also of religious adherence to Islam. It was also the main headdress for Christians and Jews during the Ottoman Empire.