Chitrali caps — also known as Pakol — are traditional woollen caps from the high mountain regions of Chitral, Gilgit, Hunza, and northern Afghanistan.
What a Chitrali Cap Is
- A soft, round, rolled‑brim wool cap originating in the Gilgit and Chitral regions of northern Pakistan.
- Traditionally hand‑spun wool, usually in earthy colours: brown, grey, ivory, black, or walnut‑dyed red.
- Designed so the brim can be rolled up or unrolled to cover the ears and neck in cold weather.
- Worn across Pakistan, Afghanistan, and parts of northern India, now widely recognised as a cultural symbol.
Cultural & Historical Notes
- Long associated with Shina and Kho people of the far north.
- Spread to Chitral and then across Pakistan through Chitrali traders, who popularised the style in urban markets.
- Today worn by people of all social classes in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
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