Post 1945, Central Asia, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Operation SALAAM, Pakol, 1991
The Pakol or Pakul is a soft, flat, rolled-up, round-topped men's cap, usually worn in Afghanistan and northern Pakistan. It is typically made of wool and found in a variety of earthy colours, such as brown, black, grey, ivory, or dyed red using walnut. The pakol is believed to have originated in Chitral and Gilgit, or the Northern Areas in Pakistan.
The pakul was worn by members of the Australian Army serving with the United Nations Mine Clearance Training Team (UNMCTT) in Pakistan and Afghanistan in 1991. UNMCTT, part of 'Operation Salam', a multi-national aid program for Afghanistan, was a joint Australian and New Zealand force involved in training Afghani refugees in mine awareness, recognition and defusing. Australia contributed some ten teams of engineers (each of between six and nine instructors) to this project between 1989 and 1993. Training was initially undertaken in Pakistan only, but by 1991, instructors were able to plan and oversee work carried out within Afghanistan. It was necessary for members of UNMCTT to wear traditional dress when moving in the Afghan countryside, as there was otherwise an unacceptable risk from snipers.
Details
Details
The Pakol is a handspun woolen cap, formed with a flat, rounded top, encircled by a lower, curled-up brim. The cap's practical design allows pulling it down to cover the ears and neck in cold weather and rolling it up for warmer temperatures. There are many ways of decorating the garment, sometimes typically putting flowers or feathers into the hat, especially for festive occasions. An attached string sewn around the base provides adaptability and flexibility of use. By tightening or loosening the string, the wearer is able to secure the hat as needed.
This object is in the Post 1945 Gallery at the Australian Army Museum of Western Australia.
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Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
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