The tradition of headwraps finds its roots in Sub-Saharan Africa, emerging during the early 1700s and gaining popularity particularly among Nubian queens in Egypt. These headwraps carried significant meanings, intricately tied to their color and pattern. Throughout the 18th century, headwrap designs functioned as a form of cultural and familial communication for women. Across various cultures, these garments symbolized high social status and conveyed a woman's marital status, signaling engagement or marriage. In some societies, married women adorned headwraps as a gesture of respect when visiting their in-laws, while others wore them during religious gatherings. Moreover, headwraps offered protection from the scorching Sahara sun.

Across the African continent, the headwrap is known by diverse names. In Nigeria, it is termed as Gele, while Botswana refers to it as Tukwi or Tuku. Ghana and Malawi use the term Duku, Zimbabwe calls it Dhuku, Zambia knows it as Chitambala, and Kenya recognizes it as Kitambaa. In Southern Africa, the Afrikaans language commonly labels it as a Doek.