Peshiri

Peshiri, also transliterated as peskir or peşkir, is a traditional Turkish bath towel associated with hammam culture. In the Turkish bath, a peşkir is used to wrap the body after washing and to dry the skin, and it can be worn around the waist or draped over the shoulders as modest coverage while moving between spaces. The term is Turkish in origin; transliterations vary in English, and some sources connect its roots to older Ottoman Turkish and possibly Persian or Arabic sources.

Construction and use: Peşkir are typically woven from cotton or linen and can be lightweight and highly absorbent, allowing rapid drying. They come in a range of sizes, from small hand towels to larger wraps. The weave, color, and pattern vary, with many featuring stripes or checks. In traditional practice, the peşkir complements other bath textiles, such as the kese (exfoliating mitt) and pestemal or towel wraps.

Contemporary context: Today peşkir are produced in Turkey and in diaspora communities and sold as functional bath textiles and as decorative items. They are valued for their portability, quick-drying properties, and aesthetic versatility. The term remains most closely associated with Turkish bath rituals, while related textiles in the broader hammam tradition continue to influence modern towel designs worldwide.