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Graduation ceremonies are beautiful tapestries of tradition, culture, and academic achievement, woven together with distinctive threads of headwear from around the world. While the classic mortarboard hat is perhaps the most recognisable symbol of graduation in Western institutions, it is far from the only form of ceremonial headwear used to mark this momentous occasion.

In many universities across the UK, for instance, traditional academic caps vary significantly. Doctoral graduates often wear a soft velvet Tudor bonnet rather than a flat mortarboard, giving them an air of scholarly distinction that is instantly noticeable. This bonnet, with its decorative cord and tassel, symbolises the wearer’s attainment of the highest academic qualification.

Moving further east, in India, Sikh graduates often attend their ceremonies wearing turbans. For Sikh men and many Sikh women, the turban is an article of faith representing honour, spirituality, and equality. At graduation, it takes on additional significance, uniting religious identity with academic pride. The colours chosen for turbans can be vibrant, with deep blues, oranges, or pristine whites, standing out beautifully against dark academic robes.

In Japan, female graduates sometimes wear the hakama over their kimono, paired with a soft hat called a “boushi” during certain university ceremonies, especially in teaching colleges. The hakama, traditionally a pleated skirt or trouser, has been adapted into modern academic attire, and the ensemble reflects elegance, grace, and respect for tradition.

Across the Pacific, many Native American students choose to honour their heritage by wearing traditional feathered headdresses, beaded caps, or eagle feathers attached to their mortarboards. Among the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota peoples, for example, the eagle feather holds immense spiritual value, representing strength, bravery, and wisdom. In some tribes, receiving an eagle feather is considered one of the highest honours, and wearing it at graduation symbolises the journey of resilience and learning.

In parts of West Africa, notably in Nigeria and Ghana, graduates often blend academic regalia with traditional attire. For instance, some students may wear the fila (a Yoruba cap) or the kente crown alongside or instead of mortarboards. The kente fabric, with its bold and meaningful patterns, signifies unity, royalty, and the importance of heritage in modern achievement.

In South Africa, graduates from indigenous communities may wear traditional beaded headbands or wraps that represent their ethnic identity. Among Zulu graduates, the isicholo, a traditional hat worn by married women, is sometimes incorporated to honour their lineage while celebrating their academic milestones.

Finally, in Māori graduation ceremonies in New Zealand, graduates may wear the korowai, a traditional woven cloak with feathers, over their gown. While not strictly headwear, it is often accompanied by hei tiki pendants and headbands that convey deep ancestral connections and mana (prestige).

These diverse expressions of cultural pride during graduation remind us that education does not exist in isolation. It is carried forth by individuals rooted in unique identities, each honouring their heritage as they step forward to create change in the world. The hat one wears at graduation is never just a hat; it is a story, a legacy, and a promise to continue uplifting one’s community.

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