Headwraps: A Global Journey

by Georgia Scott

Stop for a visit in the Czech Republic, where headscarves called satkas serve as symbols of national pride. Journey east to Malaysia, where handwoven kain dastars are wrapped for grooms by village elders. Explore the origins of the pagri, a turban worn by male Sikhs in India. Or swing by southern Nigeria to admire the color-drenched gélés of Yoruba women. These headwraps all look remarkably different and serve very different functions in dramatically different cultures. How and why does the headwrap exist in such variety? What are its meanings? How has it changed?

Headwraps are stunning creations of silk, cotton, gauze, muslin, wool and other fabrics. They are tossed, wrapped, draped, tucked, tied or pinned in hundreds of styles. They can distinguish the highbred from the pauper, Christian from Muslim, men from women, and clan from clan. They currently make for hip fashion statements in France and America.?

In Headwraps, Georgia Scott retraces the dizzying year she spent travelling the globe in search of headwraps. Scott researched headwrap styles, documented their folklore, and snapped photos wherever she went. The result is a stunning collection of images and anecdotes of a remarkable journey to chronicle our mysterious and fascinating efforts to cover our heads.

Genres: Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published November 26, 2003

About the author

Georgia Scott is an author, visual journalist and content coach. She is also a solo presenter at the 2019 South-by-Southwest festival in Austin, TX, where she will feature special limited editions of her book Down There: Narratives about the joy, aroma and overall existence of the bush. Georgia has been in South Korea for the past four-and-a-half years, and wrote, "Worth the Wait", an illustrated children's book that is also recommended for ESL learners. Georgia's first book, "Headwraps: A Global Journey" was published in 2003. She has also written "How Langston Leaf Delayed Winter", "Everyday Hugs", and "Good Hugs/Bad Hugs."

Reviews

[Shakera · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Headwraps are just one manifestation of humankind's unending desire to decorate and define itself". I really enjoyed learning about the different cultures and the reasons why they adorned themselves with such eloquent and carefully wrapped scarves, ribbons and other fabrics.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's fun to read about Georgia's year long journey around the world - just because she wanted to know more about headwraps, where they came from, and why they are the way they are. The women she encounters along the way (and photographs) are mysterious and magical. I picked it up at the library as reference for a personal project - This book is full of wonderful color photos and basic information about the headwrap fashion in many countries.

[Kim Browers · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was like a travel blog that happened to talk about headwraps often. I had hoped for more information about them, like photos, how-to's, etc. Not so much. It was semi-interesting to hear about the author's travels, but that's not why I picked up this book.

[Kirsikka · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not perfect -- it's on the "lite" side and far from exhaustive. Still, it has a great many wonderful photos.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected something more comprehensive, but it was a good read! A good introduction. I wish that there was more on the American art of headcovering.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this. It has beautiful pictures on every page, like a coffee table book. It's a great introduction to a variety of headwrapping styles and cultures.