When you hear the word “Arab,” what do you think of? We’re going to guess that a headdress is one of the first things that comes to mind.
And you wouldn’t be wrong! In fact, head coverings are a major part of Arab culture. But what kind of headdress do Arab men wear? And why? Let’s take a look, shall we?
Right here on Buy and slay, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on white arab head scarf, keffiyeh color meaning, keffiyeh head wrap and so much more. Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics.
What do arab men wear on their heads?
Arab men wear a variety of headgear, and there are many reasons for this.
The most common type of head covering is the keffiyeh, which is a square-shaped scarf that wraps around the head and neck. It’s often made from cotton or wool and can be solid or patterned. It can be worn in different ways—with the ends hanging over the shoulders, tucked into a jacket or waistcoat, or folded into a triangle shape with one end hanging down in front of their chest.
Another popular option is the kufiya, which is a long scarf that hangs from the back of the head to cover the shoulders. This type of scarf is usually made from cotton or wool and comes in many colors. It’s often used by Palestinian men as well as those who live in countries such as Jordan and Syria.
Some men also choose to wear turbans instead of traditional scarves; these are typically worn by older men who have been married for several years so that they will appear more dignified when out in public with their wives (who usually wear hijabs).
Keffiyeh head wrap
The keffiyeh or kufiya (Arabic: كُوفِيَّة, romanized: kūfīyah, lit. ’relating to Kufa’), also known in Arabic as a ghutrah (غُترَة), shemagh (شُمَاغ šumāġ), ḥaṭṭah (حَطَّة) and, in Persian, as a chafiyeh (چفیه), is a traditional headdress worn by men.
Keffiyeh – a traditional headdress worn by Palestinian men (and at times women). Originated back in 3000 BC. At that time the high priests of ancient Babylonians and Sumerians wore a Keffiyeh to distinguish their rank or honor. A tradition that was soon adopted by the local farmers, looking for a way to protect their head from the high desert heat, sun, and winds of dust and sand.
While its outreach extended to other parts of the world, the Keffiyeh remained as a symbol of rank in Palestine. However, in the 1930s, the Keffiyeh became a national symbol, after the rebels wore it in their fight against the British Mandate.
As a result, the Keffiyeh was banned, which only led to it being worn by almost everyone in Palestine. Making it harder and harder for the authorities to recognize locals from rebels. However, what pushed it over the edge was in the 1960s when Yasser Arafat adopted the Keffiyeh, making it a prominent piece in Palestinian history.
It is fashioned from a square scarf, and is usually made of cotton. The keffiyeh is commonly found in arid regions, as it provides protection from sunburn, dust and sand. An agal is often used to keep it in place.
Other than Arabs, Kurds are another ethnic group famous for wearing a headpiece similar to the keffiyeh but different as it is wrapped completely different and has a different pattern or colorway than the Arab one. Kurds either call it a Shemagh (Kurdish: شهماغ) or Serwîn (Kurdish: سهروین).
During his sojourn with the Marsh Arabs of Iraq, Gavin Young noted that the local sayyids—”venerated men accepted […] as descendants of the Prophet Muhammad and Ali ibn Abi Talib”—wore dark green keffiyeh (cheffiyeh) in contrast to the black-and-white checkered examples typical of the area’s inhabitants.
In Indonesia, some of the people used the keffiyeh to show their solidarity with the Palestinians.
Keffiyeh color meaning
Black & White – A black and white Keffiyeh are said to be associated with the Fatah – A former Palestinian National Liberation Movement, and a nationalist social-democratic political party that is the second biggest political party in the Legislative Council. Additionally, it is the biggest fraction of the allied multi-party Palestine Liberation Organization.
Red & White – The stitch work in the red and white Keffiyeh is believed to be connected with the Palestinian Marxists. Founded back in 1977, the sector is the largest sects that make up the Palestine Liberation Organization and the revolutionary socialist.
While these are mostly assumptions, and may or may not reflect the truth, but the truth of the matter is that Keffiyehs and Palestine go hand in hand. A passionate handiwork that is still made piece by piece in Palestine. While its impact has grown down a great deal since the mass production of Keffiyehs around the world. However, nothing matches the quality and detailing of a handmade Keffiyeh from Palestine. When you hold a Keffiyeh handmade in Palestine you will be able to feel the association that comes with the Keffiyeh, rather than getting another accessory that is mass-produced in China.
