A cap is anything worn on and around the head in form of headgear. There are so many things that could be worn on the head, made of different materials, from fabrics to leather, grass, plastic etc.
Tracing the history of cap, it came into existence over 3200 BC and ever since, different things have been attached to its use.
There is no part of the world that does not have one thing or the other they wear on and around the head, but each geographical zones have different ideas about the cap they wear.
Cap business is lucrative and has produced job opportunities for many people. While some are into the sales of cap materials, some do the sowing and designing, and some others engage in selling the finished product.
In some parts of the world, cap is one of the very important parts of dressing right, especially with local or traditional attires, like the South Western part of Nigeria. Native clothing is not complete without wearing a cap. The caps that command respects and worn by the people of this part of the country is sometimes made from hand woven aso-oke fabric and damask.
The Eastern part of Nigeria is known for its red woollen cap. This is a symbol of authority, tradition and culture, and in some cases, it indicates the conferment of a chieftaincy title.
Kufi cap is commonly used by the people of Northern Nigeria . It is a brimless, short and rounded worn by men.
Kofia cap is worn by men in Somalia, Kenya and Uganda. It is also a brimless cylindrical object with a flat crown.
The Ghanians are known for their smock cap, while Zulu is a traditional cap worn in South Africa by married men.
Gradually, caps begin to gain its popularity and different concepts are been introduced into designs, making it generally acceptable. This gave rise to some other types of caps like the baseball cap, which is the most common cap amongst all the caps and it symbolizes a casual vibe. Baseball caps are vaunted for their role in shading faces from direct sunlight and other climatic conditions.
The fedora cap is a very common type and very fashionable. It is always with folded brims. Other types of caps include, but not limited to, porkie cap, beret cap, panama, sun visor, bucket cap, beanie hats, bowler hats, Breton caps and flat cap.
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The zucchetto is a hemispherical skull cap, similar to the kippah worn by religious leaders in several denominations of Christianity. This hat is worn during religious ceremonies and can be one of five colors, each color specifying the rank of the cleric.
The taqiyah cap or araqchin is also a short rounded skullcap. It is often worn by Islamic clerics and muslims for religious purposes.
Nueses cap is a part of the female nurse’s uniform, its purpose is to keep the nurse’s hair neatly in place and present a modest appearance. Meanwhile, male nurses do not wear caps.
In the 1960s, agriculture companies began to realize cap’s potential for advertising and promotions, then the trucker hats became increasingly popular towards 1970s and 1980s and till date branded caps are used as promotional gift items.
Caps now become fashion and style of life, because what you wear is how you present yourself to the world. Apart from giving a respected dress sense, the look portrays one’s personality.
