Hmong women purple turban

“This traditional headdress, worn by Hmong women and girls from the Xieng Khuang Province of Laos, is created by wrapping the head with a long piece of gauze-like fabric to create a turban-like appearance. The headdress is finished with a black and white striped fabric called a siv ceeb, which crosses above the forehead and brings attention to the face. The turban itself can be various shades of indigo, purple, or black, and the siv ceeb may vary in design, with more modern options such as ribbon and sashes also being used. Hair is typically pulled up and tucked into the headdress, either in a ponytail or bun, although traditionally women would wear their hair partly tucked in at the back of the headdress.” The traditional Hmong turban or head wrap has been passed down through generations. It is usually made of a long dark purple or black cloth, and topped off with a “siv ceeb” which is a thin striped black and white cloth. When we were younger, our mother taught us how to wrap the turban by ourselves. Our mother always said that a Hmong outfit is not complete without a headdress or hat. In modern times, it is much easier to purchase pre-made turbans which you can place on your head like a hat. Additionally, the “siv ceeb” can now be replaced by pretty Hmong trim or ribbon. Depending on the clan or family’s location in Laos or Thailand, your traditional headdress may vary in style. We have included photos of us wearing our hand-wrapped turbans, as well as the traditional clothing which our mother hand-sewn for us when we were younger. Today, we prefer our convenience of pre-made turbans for a more put-together look.