The Hijab:

There seems to be some confusion as to what a Hijab is. It is mostly described as anything resembling a shawl or a head cover for women. A version approved by some Islamic sects includes a complete head cover revealing only the eyeballs.

It is that version that provokes the most attention and negative commentary in civilized countries at times other than Hallowe'en.

The most common version is simply something that covers the hair. That garment is not exclusive to Islam. It is variously known as a shawl, a mantle, or, among my east European ancestors, a foostka or a babooshka when worn by elderly women, mostly to church services.

It is not difficult to see why women originally wore head scarves to cover their hair on a daily basis. Up until the 20th century, women were too busy to fuss endlessly with their hair. Their priorities were children, household, yard and garden chores.

That tradition carried over into the 20th Century among the pioneer women, but not for long. My grandmothers wore their foostkas at home and to church, but their daughters wouldn't be seen dead wearing one, even to school. They viewed it as something only old women wore. No way would "us moderns" be seen in one of those.

Never do I recall seeing my mother or any of my aunts on either side wearing one. Clearly, they'd have been embarrassed to dress like that. They were in a new land with new opportunities and they were determined to fit in.