tudung
Noun: A headscarf worn by Muslim women, particularly in Malaysia and some other Southeast Asian countries. It covers the hair and sometimes the neck, but typically leaves the face visible. The tudung is an expression of modesty and religious faith in accordance with Islamic teachings.
The word "tudung" is used to refer specifically to this type of modest head covering. It is a common item of everyday dress for many Muslim women in its cultural context. - She carefully pinned her tudung each morning before leaving for work. - The school's uniform policy includes an option for a white tudung. - Many shops in the market sell beautifully embroidered tudungs in various colors.
- Cultural and Religious Significance: The tudung is more than a garment; it is a visible symbol of a woman's religious identity and commitment to modesty (). Discussions about the tudung often involve topics of faith, cultural practice, and personal choice.
- Fashion and Industry: The term is used within the context of the modest fashion industry, where designers create modern and stylish versions of the traditional tudung.
- Hijab: A more general Arabic term for the principle of modesty and the headscarf itself, used in global contexts. While a tudung is a type of hijab, "hijab" can refer to a wider range of styles and the broader concept of modest dress.
- Headscarf: A generic English term for any scarf worn on the head, which may or may not have religious connotations.
- Head covering
- Headscarf (in the specific context of Muslim dress)
- Veil (though "veil" can imply face-covering, which a tudung does not typically do)
- "Wearing the tudung": The common phrase to describe the act of having it on as part of one's attire.
- "Putting on her tudung": Describes the action of dressing and preparing it.
The primary meaning of "tudung" is the physical garment. Its use is deeply tied to specific Islamic and Malay cultural practices. It is distinct from face-coverings like the niqab or burqa. The word itself is of Malay origin.
- a scarf worn around the head by Muslim women in Malaysia; conceals the hair but not the face