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TRADITIONS & UTENSILS

 

 

 

  kaupina

 

India

The kaupina is a kind of loincloth worn as underclothing by certain men in India. It consists of a rectangular piece of cloth, which is bound around the waist with a horizontal strap, cord, or even a chain.

 

It somewhat resembles the Japanese fundoshi, the string-like wrap as worn by sumo wrestlers, and it can often be seen worn by Indian yogi (fig.), sadhu (fig.), brahman priests and novices (fig.), celibates, and other ascetics, as well as by people bathing at the ghats (fig.).

 

  kaupina