cylindrical and are unlike the Gandhi cap worn in South Asia. Kashmiri variations Karakul caps have been worn by Kashmiris for the past several decades. The Karakul cap is colloquially known as a "Karakuli" in the Kashmir Valley. The traditional headgear of the gentry in Kashmir has historically been the turban tied in a similar fashion to the Pashtun equivalent. The Karakul caps are popular amongst most of the mainstream politicians. It is quite common for a Kashmiri groom to wear a Karakul Cap as he waits at his in-laws house for his bride to accompany him home. African variations Karakul caps became popular among Africans and African-Americans in the 1960s. African Presidents such as Modibo Keïta of Mali and Ahmed Sékou Touré of Guinea, who were themselves both of pre-colonial African royal descent, wore the karakul cap to show their independence from European colonial power. The karakul cap is often worn by African and African-American Christians and Jews. Both the velvet and faux fur versions are worn by men of African descent with Western suits, and African attire such as the grand boubou. Muslims of African ancestry wear these caps with the dishdasha. In urban slang, the karakul cap is called a fur kufi, while the Rampuri cap is called a velvet fez hat. When worn properly, these caps are always slanted at an angle, and never placed straight on the head. Leopard print karakul caps are common in Africa, but are rarely seen in the United States. In popular culture, Eddie Murphy wore the karakul cap in the movie Coming to America. Gallery See also Astrakhan (fur) Astrakhan (hat) Canadian military fur wedge cap Papakha Side cap (Pilotka) Taqiyah (cap) References A crowning touch Afghan clothing Hats Indian clothing Islamic male clothing Muhammad Ali Jinnah Pakistani headgear Woolen clothing