Asian conical hats are, throughout Asia, primarily used as a form of protection from the sun and rain. When made of straw or other woven materials, it can be dipped in water and worn as an impromptu evaporative cooling device.
China In
China, conical hats were typically associated with farmers, while
mandarins wore tighter circular caps, especially in the winter. There were several conical hat types worn during the Qing dynasty (see
Qing official headwear).
Japan It is also widely understood in East Asia, most notably Japan, where they were known as , as a symbol of
Buddhism, as it is traditionally worn by
pilgrims and Buddhist monks in search of
alms. Sturdier, even metal, variants, known as (battle kasa), were also worn by
samurai and foot-soldiers in Japan, as helmets.
Malaysia performances by Papar Kadazans with siung'' at the
Monsopiad Heritage Village In the
Papar District of
Sabah, the conical hat is worn during the
sazau or
sumazau dances during the
harvest festival of
Kaamatan by the
Kadazan people, while it is also hung in homes as decoration. In the past, it was commonly worn by the Kadazan females of the Papar District for protection against sunlight and rain during their agricultural activities. Different types of
siung also carry their respective meanings; for Kadazan
sumandaks who are still unmarried, it is usually with
feathers; the flower one usually means already married, while plain either means widowed, a grandmother or elderly. Another hint is the silver belt (antique
British trade dollar); unmarried Kadazan females usually with four coins, while those married wear only two.
Philippines in 1862 showing the
salakot (right) worn as part of the
traje de campaña (campaign uniform) and
Rayadillo. This later evolved into
pith helmet in
British India. In the
Philippines, the
salakót is more commonly a pointed dome-shape, rather than conical, with a spike or knob
finial. Unlike most other mainland Asian conical hats, it is characterized by an inner headband in addition to a chinstrap. It can be made from various materials including
bamboo,
rattan,
nito,
bottle gourd,
buri straw,
nipa leaves,
pandan leaves, and
carabao horn. The plain type is typically worn by farmers, but nobles in the pre-colonial period (and later
principalia in the Spanish period) crafted ornate variations with jewels, precious metals, or
tortoiseshell. These are considered heirloom objects passed down from generation to generation within families. The
salakót was also commonly worn by native soldiers in the
Spanish colonial army. It was adopted by Spanish troops in the early 18th century as part of their campaign uniform. In doing so, it became the direct precursor of the
pith helmet (still called
salacot or
salacco in Spanish and French).
Vietnam - the most popular traditional head hat in Vietnam In
Vietnam, the nón lá, ("hats"), ("rice hat"), ("conical hat") or ("bamboo hat") forms a perfect right circular
cone which tapers smoothly from the base to the apex. Special conical hats in Vietnam contain colourful hand-stitch depictions or words. The varieties are famous for their (lit. poem conical hats) and contain random poetic verses and
Chữ Hán, which can be revealed when the hat is directed above one's head in the sunlight. In modernity, they have become part of Vietnam's national costume.
Others In India, and Bangladesh, the plain conical hat was worn by commoners during their daily work, but more decoratively-colored ones were used for festivities. == Gallery ==