Chadar

The chadar, also spelled chador or chadoor, is a multipur-
garment worn by many people in India since before the third
ury C.E. Indians and others living in countries of the Middle
continue to wear the chadar to this day. Though the size,
e, and color of the chadar vary somewhat in different cultures,
it is basically a large scarf, about three yards
long and one yard wide, or larger. Both
men and women use the chadar as a shawl
or wrap for protection from the weather,
for modesty, and for religious purposes.
Some chadars have decorative or fringed
edges.
The chadar is a common accessory in
desert countries like Afghanistan, where it
is often wrapped around the body, head,
and face for protection from sand and dust
storms. In less harsh weather, men usually
wear the chadar around the shoulders, like
a shawl. Women in Muslim societies are of-
ten required to cover themselves more mod-
estly than men, and they wear the chadar
over their heads as well, holding an end be-
tween their teeth when they wish to cover
their faces. Some women wrap the chadar
tightly around their neck and head to form
a sort of headdress that may cover all or part
of the face. The abundant fabric of the chadar is useful for many purposes. A mother may wrap her baby
in one end of the scarf and use it to cover them both while she
breastfeeds. Ends of the chadar may also be used to tie small bun-
dles to make them easy to carry. Some women’s chadars are large
enough to cover the wearer from head to toe, similar to the long
burka also worn by Muslim women.
The chadar also has religious and ceremonial purposes. The
color and designs used in the fabric often have religious significance.
Many Muslim men use the chadar to wrap themselves or kneel upon
it for prayer, and a large version is often used to wrap around the
dead before burial.