This headgear or ‘songkok’ is made of finely woven palm fibre and gold threads. The name Muhammad, which refers to the Prophet of Islam, can be seen woven in white. This songkok would have been worn by a Bugis prince. The width of the gold band indicates the wearer’s relationship to the King. The broadest gold band was reserved for the son who would inherit the throne. Slimmer bands, as shown on this piece, were worn by other princes. The songkok was traditionally worn during Friday prayers at the mosque. The black-coloured songkok would be switched for a white one once the prince has performed the pilgrimage to Mecca.
