# Gamcha

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Traditional scarf originated in eastern Indian subcontinent

For traditional Assamese Gamcha, see [Gamosa](/source/Gamosa).

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[Bangladeshi](/source/Bangladesh) [Rickshaw](/source/Rickshaw_painting_of_Bangladesh) Puller wearing traditional Gamcha

Milk salesman wearing Gamchha in Nepal

**Gamcha** (or **Gamchhā** ([Bhojpuri](/source/Bhojpuri_language)), **Gāmchhā**, **Gāmuchhā** (Odia), **Gamusā** (Assamese) and **Angochha**) is a rectangular piece of traditional coarse cotton cloth, sometimes with a [checked](/source/Check_(pattern)) design, worn as traditional scarf by men in the [Indian subcontinent](/source/Indian_subcontinent), mainly in [Eastern India](/source/Eastern_India) (including [Assam](/source/Assam)), [Bangladesh](/source/Bangladesh), as well as in eastern [Terai](/source/Terai) of [Nepal](/source/Nepal).[1] It also became bit popular in other cultures of India and now in what is known as [Pakistan](/source/Pakistan) after the [Indian partition](/source/Indian_partition), as well as various parts of South and Southeast Asia. The word "Gamcha" is [Assamese](/source/Assamese_language) word which comes from two very simple and commonly used [Assamese](/source/Assamese_language) words, (গা) *ga* which means "Body", and (মুছা) *mucha* which means "wipe". Literally translated, it means 'something to wipe the body with' however, interpreting the word *gamcha* as the towel is misleading.[2] It is often worn on one side of the shoulder. Its appearance varies from region to region, and it has been traditionally worn as a scarf by the [Odia](/source/Odia_people) men, [Bhojpuriya](/source/Bhojpuri_people) men and [Bengali](/source/Bengalis) men. Gamcha is also a headwear for [Bengali](/source/Bengalis) men in [West Bengal](/source/West_Bengal) and [Bangladesh](/source/Bangladesh).[3] Gamucha was also mentioned in [Odia](/source/Odia_language) [Mahabharata](/source/Mahabharata) by [Sarala Dasa](/source/Sarala_Dasa) as part of the traditional dress of Odia men.[4][5][6] Weavers of traditional *tantubaya* or *jugi* community migrated from Bangladesh to [Tripura](/source/Tripura) and weavers of [Odisha](/source/Odisha) produce good quality gamucha.[7]

The gamcha is most commonly found with [check](/source/Tartan) and striped patterns of red, orange or green. Plain white gamchhas with coloured (embroidered or printed) borders from [Odisha](/source/Orissa%2C_India) and [Assam](/source/Assam) (for traditional [Assamese](/source/Assam) Gamcha, see [Gamosa](/source/Gamosa)) are local handicrafts, and may be worn around the neck with traditional Indian attire. In western areas, gamchas are primarily made in red colour and are plain like cloth. In southern India, gamucha is more coarse and are available in various dyes. Even homemade lightweight fur towels are also popularly termed as gamchhas. Gamucha are worn by the South Asian people, especially in the Indian states of [Assam](/source/Assam), [Bihar](/source/Bihar), [Odisha](/source/Odisha), West Bengal, [Jharkhand](/source/Jharkhand) and the [Bhojpuri region](/source/Bhojpuri_region), because they are better suited to the country's [tropical, humid](/source/Tropics) climate. They may also be found in [hamams](/source/Turkish_bath) as a traditional male loincloth and towel worn during bathing and massage.

A pair of gamchhas with typical check patterns

## Other uses

A fruit vendor wearing a gamchha tied as a headscarf.

### Cultural symbol

Main article: [Gamosa](/source/Gamosa)

An Assamese Gamusa with embroidery designs.

[Assamese gamosa](/source/Gamosa) or Gamusa in Assam has a place of special use : it is given as a token of honour and respect to esteemed guest. In Bihu Dance male dancers wear it as a headscarf. The traditional Assamese dress is complete only when one wears a gamusa.

In Ahom King days, Ahom soldiers wife's used to weave a gamusa within a night and present it to her husband to ensure safety and victory.

### Handkerchief or Towel

Gamcha is also used sometimes as a [handkerchief](/source/Handkerchief) or towel for personal use such as wiping the face.

#### Loincloth and headscarf

Gamcha is also worn as knee long [loin cloths](/source/Loin_cloth) by people of the poorer sections of society, especially menial labourers and farm workers. They are also used as a headscarf, similar to the Middle Eastern [keffiyeh](/source/Keffiyeh) in rural areas.[8]

### Safety

Gamchas can be turned into an effective weapon against [wolves](/source/Indian_wolf), [leopards](/source/Indian_leopard), [wild dogs](/source/Dhole) or [feral dogs](/source/Pariah_dog) or even [dacoits](/source/Dacoit), by knotting a large stone pebble into one end and using it like [bolas](/source/Bolas).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

### Face mask

Farmers were already using it in rural areas for various purposes, Gamcha became an alternative [cloth face mask](/source/Cloth_face_mask) in rural India. The [WHO](/source/World_Health_Organization) guidelines [9] for the necessary use of masks for protection from [COVID](/source/Coronavirus_disease_2019) increased its importance, and it became a choice of face masks by simply wearing on face. The need for this traditional piece of clothing has risen further since the [Prime Minister of India](/source/Prime_Minister_of_India) made a television speech wearing Gamcha(a Manipuri gamcha, also known as Meitei Lengyan). It was trending since then in urban areas too.[10][11][12]

## Commercial aspects

Gamcha is produced as a primary handloom product by traditional weavers. Presently the production of coarse handmade gamucha is slowing down in [Odisha](/source/Orissa%2C_India).[13] A 1,455.3 metre long Gamucha displayed in Delhi created world record as it became world's longest hand woven piece of cloth.[14]

## See also

- [Agal (accessory)](/source/Agal_(accessory)), Arabian headdress

- [Gingham](/source/Gingham), scarf from Malaysia

- [Keffiyeh](/source/Keffiyeh), traditional Middle Eastern headdress

- [Krama](/source/Krama), Cambodian scarf

- [Tagelmust](/source/Tagelmust), scarf from Sahara

- [Turban](/source/Turban), head scarf

- [Lungi](/source/Lungi)

- [Grameen check](/source/Grameen_check)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-google4_1-0)** O`Malley, L.S.S. [*Bihar And Orissa Gazetteers Shahabad*](https://books.google.com/books?id=iftaR6DVxIAC&q=Gamchha&pg=PA51). Logos Press. p. 52. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9788172681227](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9788172681227). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170218063342/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=iftaR6DVxIAC&pg=PA51) from the original on 18 February 2017. Retrieved 2023-02-16.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-assaminfo_2-0)** ["Gamocha"](http://www.assaminfo.com/culture/1/gamocha.htm). assaminfo.com. Retrieved March 16, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Folk-lore_3-0)** [*Folk-lore*](https://books.google.com/books?id=18jjAAAAMAAJ). Indian Publications. 1983. Retrieved 5 June 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Bailey1957_4-0)** Frederick George Bailey (1957). [*Caste and the Economic Frontier: A Village in Highland Orissa*](https://books.google.com/books?id=2TG8AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA250). Manchester University Press. pp. 250–. GGKEY:CS1R2QFP07X. Retrieved 5 June 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Panda1991_5-0)** Shishir Kumar Panda (1991). [*Medieval Orissa: A Socio-Economic Study*](https://books.google.com/books?id=C_LT5Q-f3YEC&pg=PA96). Mittal Publications. pp. 96–. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-81-7099-261-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-7099-261-5). Retrieved 5 June 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Dept1990_6-0)** Orissa (India). Harijan & Tribal Welfare Dept (1990). [*Tribes of Orissa*](https://books.google.com/books?id=yStuAAAAMAAJ). Harijan and Tribal Welfare Department, Government Of Orissa. Retrieved 5 June 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-GhoshGhosh2000_7-0)** G. K. Ghosh; Shukla Ghosh (1 January 2000). [*Ikat Textiles Of India*](https://books.google.com/books?id=xOrTw0gPSVYC&pg=PA42). APH Publishing. pp. 42–. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-81-7648-167-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-7648-167-0). Retrieved 5 June 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["dress"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121223165117/http://www.orissa.gov.in/people/dress.htm). *orissa.gov.in*. 2003. Archived from [the original](http://www.orissa.gov.in/people/dress.htm) on 23 December 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2012. tying it around the head as turban when necessary

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["When and how to use masks"](https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks). *www.who.int*. Retrieved 2020-12-10.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["PM Modi dons 'gamcha mask' in new profile picture, others follow suit"](https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-in-india/pm-narendra-modi-changes-dp-with-gamcha-masks-others-follow-6362353/). *The Indian Express*. 2020-04-15. Retrieved 2020-12-10.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ANI (2020-05-30). ["How PM Modi's iconic 'gamchha' face masks boosted employment in a UP town"](https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/pm-modi-s-gamcha-face-mask-boost-employment-of-up-town-s-weavers-120053000234_1.html). *Business Standard India*. Retrieved 2020-12-10.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Gamechanger! Huge Demand For Red & White Gamcha That PM Modi Wore As Mask"](https://www.india.com/viral/gamechanger-huge-demand-for-red-white-gamcha-that-pm-modi-wore-as-mask-4028554/). *India.com*. 2020-05-14. Retrieved 2020-12-10.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Satya Narayan Dash (1995). [*Handloom Industry in India*](https://books.google.com/books?id=a5xjc73xzqAC&pg=PA195). Mittal Publications. pp. 195–. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-81-7099-599-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-7099-599-9). Retrieved 5 June 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Assamese Gamusa makes it to the Guinness Book of World Records"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160819130051/http://thenortheasttoday.com/assamese-gamusa-made-it-to-the-guinness-book-of-world-records/). the northeast today. Archived from [the original](http://thenortheasttoday.com/assamese-gamusa-made-it-to-the-guinness-book-of-world-records/) on 19 August 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Gamchha](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Gamchha).

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