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| caption              = A Assamese Jaapi
| caption              = A jaapi
| background            =  
| background            =  
| names                =  
| names                =  
| related              =  
| related              =  
*''do'un''  ([[Cambodia]])
*''[[Nón lá]]'' ([[Vietnam]])
*''koup ''  ([[Laos]])
*''Do'un''  ([[Cambodia]])
*''Koup ''  ([[Laos]])
*''khamauk'' ([[Myanmar]])
*''khamauk'' ([[Myanmar]])
*''dǒulì''  ([[China]])
*''dǒulì''  ([[China]])
*''nón lá'' ([[Vietnam]])           
}}
}}
{{Culture of Assam}}
'''Jaapi''' or '''Japi''' ([[Bodo language|Bodo]]: Khofri) is an [[Asian conical hat]]. It is made from tightly woven [[bamboo]] and/or cane and ''tokou paat'' ([[Trachycarpus martianus]]) a large, [[Palm (plant)|palm]] leaf. The word ''jaapi'' derives from ''jaap'' meaning a bundle of ''tokou'' leaves. In the past, plain jaapis were used by ordinary people in Assam and by farmers for protection from the sun, while ornate decorative jaapis were worn as a status symbol by the royalty and nobility. Decorative ''sorudoi jaapi'' are made with intricate cloth designs (primarily red, white, green, blue, and black) that are integrated into the weaving.
[[File:Jaapi.jpg|thumb|Sarudaya jaapi]]


The '''jaapi''' or '''japi''' ({{lang-as|জাপি}}; [[Bodo culture|Bodo]]: Khofri) is a traditional conical hat from [[Assam]], [[India]] similar to the [[Asian conical hat]] which is made from tightly woven [[bamboo]] and/or cane and ''tokou paat'' ([[Trachycarpus martianus]]) a large, [[Palm (plant)|palm]] leaf. The word ''jaapi'' derives from ''jaap'' meaning a bundle of ''taku'' leaves. In the past, plain jaapi were used by ordinary people in Assam and by farmers for protection from the sun, while ornate jaapi were worn as a status symbol by royalty and nobility. Decorative ''sorudoi jaapi'' are made with intricate cloth designs (primarily red, white, green, blue, and black) that are integrated into the weaving.
==History==


==History==
The medieval [[Chutia people|Sutiya]] kings used the jaapi as a cultural symbol. The last Sutiya king gifted gold and silver embroidered Jaapis (Kup-ngiun-kham) to the Ahom king [[Suhungmung]] (1497–1539) as presents in his attempts for a treaty in the year 1523.{{sfn|Khanikar|1991|p=100}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://brahmaputra.ceh.vjf.cnrs.fr/bdd/IMG/pdf/parallele_ahom-assamais2-2.pdf |title="Then the Sutiyâ king desired to send silver and gold lipped Jâpi (''Kup-ngiun-kham''), gold bracelets (''Mao-kham''), gold basket (''Liu-kham''), gold ring (''Khup-kham''), gold bookstand (''Khu-tin-kham''), gold pirâ (''Kham-ku''), horse (''Ma''), elephant (''Chang-pai''), and two Âroans (''Phra-nun'') and Xorais (''Phun'') to the Ahom king." |access-date=7 February 2020 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728195005/http://brahmaputra.ceh.vjf.cnrs.fr/bdd/IMG/pdf/parallele_ahom-assamais2-2.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> After annexing [[Sadiya]] in 1524, the Ahom king received a lot of treasure and bounty, which included Jaapis.{{sfn|Mahanta|1945|p=10}} In the year 1525, the Ahom king gifted some of the silver Jaapis obtained from the Sutiya king and other items, to negotiate peace with the [[Mongkawng]] chief Phukloimung, a [[Shan people|Shan]] state in present [[Kachin State]] of [[Upper Myanmar]] (called Nora in [[Buranji]]s)  who had attacked Sadiya.{{sfn|Bhuyan|1960|p=62}} During the Ahom rule, ''Jaapi-hajiya Khel'' (guild for making Jaapis) was monopolised by [[Chutia people | Sutiyas]], which indicate that they were experts in weaving Jaapis.<ref>"The Sutiyas were engaged in all kind of technical jobs of the Ahom kingdom. For example, the Khanikar Khel (guild of engineers) was always manneed by the Sutiyas. The Jaapi-Hajiya Khel (guild for making Jaapis) was also monopolished by them."{{harvcol|Dutta|1985|p=30}}</ref> Apart from this, the [[Baro-Bhuyan]]s of Central Assam are also said to have used Jaapis. As per the ''Satsari Buranji'', the Ahom kings adopted the ''Tongali'', ''Hasoti'' and ''Tokou-patia Japi'' from the Baro-Bhuyans.{{sfn|Bhuyan|1960|p=135}}
===Ancient period===
 
Japis have been recorded as far back as the time of [[Xuanzang]]'s visit to Assam when visitors were welcomed with colorful jaapi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vedanti.com/News/bamboo_products_of_assam.htm |title=Bamboo products of Assam |publisher=Vedanti.com |date=2011-02-08 |access-date=2012-05-09}}</ref>  
<gallery mode="packed" heights="134">
File:Rice 02.jpg|A [[rice]] farmer in northern [[Cambodia]] wearing a {{lang|km-Latn|do'un}} similar to Jaapi
 
File:Varun Japi.jpg|Upper metal part of an ancient Varun (Tupi) Japi known as ''Sula'' used during the rule of Sutiya kings kept in the Gharmora Satra.
File:Jaapi.jpg|Sarudaya jaapi


===Medieval period===
File:DecorativeJaapi.jpg|An ornately made jaapi


[[File:Varun Japi.jpg|thumb|This is the upper metal part of an ancient Varun(Tupi) Japi known as ''Sula'' used during the rule of Chutia kings kept in the Gharmora Satra.]]
File:Japi.JPG|A jaapi at Kalakhetra, Guwahati


The medieval [[Chutia people|Chutia]] kings (a sub-group of Bodo-Kacharis) used the Jaapi as a cultural symbol. The last Chutia king Nitipal gifted gold and silver embroidered Jaapis to the Ahom king Suhungmung as presents in his attempts for a treaty in the year 1523 A.D.<ref>Khanikar,S. Chutia Jaatir Itihax aru Luko-Sanskriti,1991, p.100.</ref><ref>[http://brahmaputra.ceh.vjf.cnrs.fr/bdd/IMG/pdf/parallele_ahom-assamais2-2.pdf "Then the Chutiâ king desired to send silver and gold lipped Jâpi(''Kup-ngiun-kham''),gold bracelets(''Mao-kham''), gold basket(''Liu-kham''), gold ring (''Khup-kham''), gold bookstand (''Khu-tin-kham''), gold pirâ(''Kham-ku''), horse(''Ma''), elephant(''Chang-pai''), and two Âroans(''Phra-nun'') and Xorais(''Phun'') to the Ahom king."]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.co.in/books?id=YELHow5lP9kC&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BF Mahanta,S. Assam Buranji.D.H.A.S.,1945, p.9.]</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.452171/page/n59/mode/1up?q=%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BF Goswami, Hemchandra,''Purani Asam Buranji'',p.41.]</ref> After annexing Sadiya in 1524 A.D, the Ahom king received a lot of treasure and bounty, which included Jaapis.<ref>[https://books.google.co.in/books?id=YELHow5lP9kC&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%81%E0%A7%B0%E0%A7%80%2C Mahanta,S. Assam Buranji.D.H.A.S.,1945, p.10.]</ref> In the year 1525 A.D, the Ahom king gifted some of the silver Jaapis of the Chutia king and other items, to negotiate peace with the Nora chief Phukloimung who had attacked Sadiya.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.452953/page/n86/mode/1up Bhuyan, Surjya Kumar,''Satsari Buranji'',p.62.]</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.450867/page/n62/mode/1up Barua, Gopal Chandra, ''Ahom Buranji'',p.58.]</ref> During the Ahom rule, ''Jaapi-hajiya Khel''(guild for making Jaapis) was monopolised by Chutias, which indicate that they were experts in weaving Jaapis.<ref>"The Chutiyas were engaged in all kind of technical jobs of the  Ahom kingdom. For example, teh Khanikar Khel (guild of engineers) was always manneed by the Chutiyas. The Jaapi-Hajiya Khel (guild for making Jaapis) was also monopolished by them.{{harvcol|Dutta|1985|p=30}}</ref> Apart from this, the [[Baro-Bhuyan|Baro-Bhuyans]] of Central Assam are also said to have used Jaapis. As per the ''Satsari Buranji'', the Ahom kings adopted the ''Tongali'', ''Hasoti'' and ''Tokou-patia Japi'' from the Baro-Bhuyans.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.452577/page/n160/mode/1up Bhuyan, Surjya Kumar,''Satsari Buranji'',p.135.]</ref>
File:Jaapi,Dhemaji.jpg|Jaapis made in Dhemaji
</gallery>


==Cultural symbol==
==Cultural symbol==
Today the jaapi is a symbol of Assam. It is worn in a style of [[Bihu dance]], used as protection against the elements, offered as a sign of respect in ceremonies, and placed as a decorative item around the house, especially in the walls as a welcome sign.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Handoo|first=Jawaharlal|url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Folklore_in_the_Changing_Times/i8VuAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=Japi+is+a+traditional+symbol+of+Assamese+folk+culture&dq=Japi+is+a+traditional+symbol+of+Assamese+folk+culture&printsec=frontcover|title=Folklore in the Changing Times|publisher=Indhira Gandhhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya|year=2003|location=Orignal from Indiana University|pages=46}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Assam_General_Knowledge/reuQbFK9Rz4C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=jAPI+WORN+Bihu+dance,&pg=PA98&printsec=frontcover|title=Assam General Knowledge|publisher=Bright Publications|isbn=9788171994519|pages=98}}</ref>  
Today the jaapi is an important symbol of Assam and its culture. It is used during [[Bihu dance]], as protection against the elements, offered as a sign of respect in ceremonies, and placed as a decorative item around the house especially in the walls as a welcome sign.{{sfn|Handoo|2003|p=46}}<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=reuQbFK9Rz4C&dq=jAPI+WORN+Bihu+dance,&pg=PA98|title=Assam General Knowledge|publisher=Bright Publications|isbn=9788171994519|pages=98}}</ref>
 
Originally Japi was an agricultural headgear by farmers to protect themselves from rain or sun's heat. The [[Bodo-Kachari peoples|Bodo-Kacharis]] having agricultural as the main profession often used them in the rice fields. Similar headgears are also seen to be used all throughout [[East Asia]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=অসম অভিধান|last=শান্তনু কৌশিক বৰুৱা|publisher=বনলতা|year=2001|pages=১৪৪–১৪৬}}</ref> [[Bishnu Prasad Rabha]] added Japi dance to Assamese culture through Jaymati movie from [[Boro people|Bodo]] community's Khofri Sibnai Mwsanai.


==Types==
==Types==
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* Sorudoi japi: Used by women, especially brides.
* Sorudoi japi: Used by women, especially brides.
* Bordoi japi: Used by royalty since ancient times (Kamrupa).
* Bordoi japi: Used by royalty since ancient times (Kamrupa).
* Panidoi/Haluwa japi:Used by farmers in fields.
* Panidoi/Haluwa japi: Used by farmers in fields.
* Garakhiya japi: Used by cattle herders.
* Garakhiya japi: Used by cattle herders.
* Pitha japi: Used as hoods, sometimes during cultivation.
* Pitha japi: Used as hoods, sometimes during cultivation.
* Tupi/Varun japi: Used in rain as protective hats.
* Tupi/Varun japi: Used in rain as protective hats.
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


==See also==
==See also==
Line 52: Line 53:
*[[Conical Asian hat]]
*[[Conical Asian hat]]
*[[Culture of Assam]]
*[[Culture of Assam]]
*[[List of hats and headgear]]
*[[List of hat styles]]
*[[List of headgear]]
*[[Textiles and dresses of Assam]]
*[[Textiles and dresses of Assam]]
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


==Notes==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
==References==
* {{Citation |last=Dutta |first=Sristidhar |title=The Mataks and their Kingdom |publisher=Chugh Publications |place=Allahabad |year=1985}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Citation |last=Dutta |first=Sristidhar |title=The Mataks and their Kingdom |publisher=Chugh Publications |place=Allahabad |year=1985}}
* {{citation|last=Khanikar|first=S|title=Chutia Jaatir Itihax aru Luko-Sanskriti|year=1991}}
* {{citation|last=Bhuyan|first=Surjya K.|title=Satsari Buranji|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.452953/page/n86/mode/1up|year=1960}}
* {{citation|last=Handoo|first=Jawaharlal|title=Folklore in the Changing Times|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i8VuAAAAMAAJ&q=Japi+is+a+traditional+symbol+of+Assamese+folk+culture|publisher=Indhira Gandhhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya|year=2003|location=Original from Indiana University}}
* {{citation |last=Mahanta |first=S |title=Assam Buranji.D.H.A.S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YELHow5lP9kC |year=1945}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120220023856/http://www.teafestivalassam.com/generalinfo.html Some information about Assamese culture]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120220023856/http://www.teafestivalassam.com/generalinfo.html Some information about Assamese culture]
* [http://www.onlinesivasagar.com/lifestyle/jaapi.html Facts/Photos on Jaapi ]
* [http://wfs02.wapka.mobi/download-42204-0ab50afd6e16f95f93de/Japi%20borokhunot%20(joonbai).mp4 Download Bihu video]


{{Hats}}
{{Hats}}
{{Clothing}}
{{Clothing}}
{{Clothing in South Asia}}
{{Clothing in South Asia}}
{{Assam}}


[[Category:History of Asian clothing]]
[[Category:History of Asian clothing]]
[[Category:Hats]]
[[Category:Pointed hats]]
[[Category:Textiles and clothing of Assam]]
[[Category:Textiles and clothing of Assam]]
[[Category:Bamboo weaving]]
[[Category:Bamboo weaving]]

Latest revision as of 05:33, 29 December 2025


Jaapi
A jaapi
Template:Infobox instrument/Classification
Related instruments

Jaapi or Japi (Bodo: Khofri) is an Asian conical hat. It is made from tightly woven bamboo and/or cane and tokou paat (Trachycarpus martianus) a large, palm leaf. The word jaapi derives from jaap meaning a bundle of tokou leaves. In the past, plain jaapis were used by ordinary people in Assam and by farmers for protection from the sun, while ornate decorative jaapis were worn as a status symbol by the royalty and nobility. Decorative sorudoi jaapi are made with intricate cloth designs (primarily red, white, green, blue, and black) that are integrated into the weaving.

History[edit | edit source]

The medieval Sutiya kings used the jaapi as a cultural symbol. The last Sutiya king gifted gold and silver embroidered Jaapis (Kup-ngiun-kham) to the Ahom king Suhungmung (1497–1539) as presents in his attempts for a treaty in the year 1523.[1][2] After annexing Sadiya in 1524, the Ahom king received a lot of treasure and bounty, which included Jaapis.[3] In the year 1525, the Ahom king gifted some of the silver Jaapis obtained from the Sutiya king and other items, to negotiate peace with the Mongkawng chief Phukloimung, a Shan state in present Kachin State of Upper Myanmar (called Nora in Buranjis) who had attacked Sadiya.[4] During the Ahom rule, Jaapi-hajiya Khel (guild for making Jaapis) was monopolised by Sutiyas, which indicate that they were experts in weaving Jaapis.[5] Apart from this, the Baro-Bhuyans of Central Assam are also said to have used Jaapis. As per the Satsari Buranji, the Ahom kings adopted the Tongali, Hasoti and Tokou-patia Japi from the Baro-Bhuyans.[6]

  • A rice farmer in northern Cambodia wearing a do'un similar to Jaapi
    A rice farmer in northern Cambodia wearing a do'un similar to Jaapi
  • Upper metal part of an ancient Varun (Tupi) Japi known as Sula used during the rule of Sutiya kings kept in the Gharmora Satra.
    Upper metal part of an ancient Varun (Tupi) Japi known as Sula used during the rule of Sutiya kings kept in the Gharmora Satra.
  • Sarudaya jaapi
    Sarudaya jaapi
  • An ornately made jaapi
    An ornately made jaapi
  • A jaapi at Kalakhetra, Guwahati
    A jaapi at Kalakhetra, Guwahati
  • Jaapis made in Dhemaji
    Jaapis made in Dhemaji

Cultural symbol[edit | edit source]

Today the jaapi is an important symbol of Assam and its culture. It is used during Bihu dance, as protection against the elements, offered as a sign of respect in ceremonies, and placed as a decorative item around the house especially in the walls as a welcome sign.[7][8]

Types[edit | edit source]

  • Sorudoi japi: Used by women, especially brides.
  • Bordoi japi: Used by royalty since ancient times (Kamrupa).
  • Panidoi/Haluwa japi: Used by farmers in fields.
  • Garakhiya japi: Used by cattle herders.
  • Pitha japi: Used as hoods, sometimes during cultivation.
  • Tupi/Varun japi: Used in rain as protective hats.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Khanikar 1991, p. 100.
  2. ↑ ""Then the Sutiyâ king desired to send silver and gold lipped Jâpi (Kup-ngiun-kham), gold bracelets (Mao-kham), gold basket (Liu-kham), gold ring (Khup-kham), gold bookstand (Khu-tin-kham), gold pirâ (Kham-ku), horse (Ma), elephant (Chang-pai), and two Âroans (Phra-nun) and Xorais (Phun) to the Ahom king."" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  3. ↑ Mahanta 1945, p. 10.
  4. ↑ Bhuyan 1960, p. 62.
  5. ↑ "The Sutiyas were engaged in all kind of technical jobs of the Ahom kingdom. For example, the Khanikar Khel (guild of engineers) was always manneed by the Sutiyas. The Jaapi-Hajiya Khel (guild for making Jaapis) was also monopolished by them."(Dutta 1985:30)
  6. ↑ Bhuyan 1960, p. 135.
  7. ↑ Handoo 2003, p. 46.
  8. ↑ Assam General Knowledge. Bright Publications. p. 98. ISBN 9788171994519.

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:Hats Template:Clothing

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