Sun | Dec 14, 2025

Revival turbans majestic and meaningful

Published:Saturday | June 7, 2025 | 12:09 AMPaul H. Williams/Gleaner Writer
Another version of the bandana turban.
Another version of the bandana turban.
A more glittery style is what she wants.
A more glittery style is what she wants.
The bandana is a Revival staple cloth, and here, it is on double display.
The bandana is a Revival staple cloth, and here, it is on double display.
Red, green, and gold.  Let it show!
Red, green, and gold. Let it show!
Even the turbans are twinned.
Even the turbans are twinned.
Yellow it is, but what does it mean? Prosperity?
Yellow it is, but what does it mean? Prosperity?
Brooches are popular Revival turban accessories.
Brooches are popular Revival turban accessories.
 The Indian influence.
The Indian influence.
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EVERYTHING THAT Revival people do is meaningful. The singing, dancing, trumping, and drumming are loaded with explicit or subliminal messages. Nothing is arbitrary. And, Revivalism is replete with icons. The iconography of Revivalism makes it a misunderstood folk religion that many people want to have nothing to do with. But Revivalists are not bothered by this negative attitude.

They are doing what they want to do with pride. This was exhibited at the recent National Revival Conference and Church Service at Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew, where The Gleaner captured the majesty of the Revival turban, one of the most significant of Revival icons. The colour/colours, style and tie are all sending messages, messages that perhaps only Revivalists understand. The last time around it was about the male turban, but the women are in the spotlight today.