An Argon (also called Agon, Agrun or Parsa) is a traditional shawl-like garment worn by
Hajong women in the
Indian subcontinent
The Indian subcontinent is a list of the physiographic regions of the world, physiographical region in United Nations geoscheme for Asia#Southern Asia, Southern Asia. It is situated on the Indian Plate, projecting southwards into the Indian O ...
, in modern-day
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
and
Bangladesh
Bangladesh (}, ), officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is the eighth-most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 165 million people in an area of . Bangladesh is among the mos ...
.
[Hajong, B. (2002). ''The Hajongs and their struggle.'' Assam, Janata Press.]
It was a form of festive wear, worn during special occasions. Argons are
shuttle-woven and characterized by large-scale, symmetrical patterns, featuring geometrical shapes and stylized leaves and flowers in colored silks and with or without gold and silver threads. Traditionally argons used to be very large in size and would have birds like
herons
The herons are long-legged, long-necked, freshwater and coastal birds in the family Ardeidae, with 72 recognised species, some of which are referred to as egrets or bitterns rather than herons. Members of the genera ''Botaurus'' and ''Ixobrychus ...
,
ducks and
peacocks
Peafowl is a common name for three bird species in the genera '' Pavo'' and ''Afropavo'' within the tribe Pavonini of the family Phasianidae, the pheasants and their allies. Male peafowl are referred to as peacocks, and female peafowl are ref ...
; and trees like
kadamba tree
''Neolamarckia cadamba'', with English common names burflower-tree, laran, and Leichhardt pine, and called kadam or cadamba locally, is an evergreen, tropical tree native to South and Southeast Asia. The genus name honours French naturalist Jean- ...
brocaded on them. It can be worn by men during weddings or when attending religious ceremonies. Their appearance and dress resembles
Boros
Gallery
File:Brocaded patterns of the traditional hajong Argon.jpg, Details of brocaded patterns on an argon.
File:Traditional Hajong Argon and Pathin.jpg, Women traditionally use the Argon to cover their left shoulder.
File:Traditional Hajong Argon Shawl.png, Chiwar Phul motif woven along the edges.
File:Hajong girls in traditional dress, Pathin and Argon.jpg, Hajong girls in traditional clothing.
File:Traditional Hajong Clothing, Pathin and Argon.jpg, Traditional Hajong Clothing.
File:Traditional hajong textile shawl argon different kinds.jpg, Argons with 'bugri phul' (black) and 'chiwar phul' (green) motif along the borders.
File:Traditional Hajong Ornaments2.png, Traditional Hajong ornaments placed upon an Argon.
See also
*
Pathin
Pathin is a wrap-around skirt worn by the women of the Hajong tribe of the Indian subcontinent in Northeast India and Bangladesh.Hajong, B. (2002). ''The Hajongs and their struggle.'' Assam, Janata Press. It covers the upper and lower part of t ...
*
Dupatta
The dupattā is a Hindu shawl traditionally worn by women in Indian subcontinent to cover the head and shoulders. The dupatta is currently used most commonly as part of the women's shalwar kameez outfit, and worn over the kurta and the gharara.
...
*
Sabai
*
Hajong people
The Hajong people are an ethnic group from Northeast India and northern parts of Bangladesh. The majority of the Hajongs are settled in India and are predominantly rice-farmers. They are said to have brought wet-field cultivation to Garo Hills, ...
Notes
References
Sources
*
Hajong culture
Culture of Meghalaya
Indian clothing
History of Asian clothing
Shawls and wraps
Indian shawls and wraps
{{Fashion-stub