Boy’s Ceremonial Hat

Turkey

Early 20th century

Cotton, glass beads

In Anatolia during the Ottoman Empire, an important rite of passage for many young boys was the bed-i besmele ceremony, which celebrated the beginning of his religious studies at a Koranic school. Wearing a special hat, as well as his best and most colorful clothing, the child would join a procession of other five-year-olds as they headed to school for the first time.