The Keffiyeh & Its Popularity
The Keffiyeh (or kufiya) is a headdress traditionally used in the Middle East usually of cotton fabric as well as fashioned out of a square wrap. It is also referred to as the shemagh, hattah, mashadah, ghutrah, cemedani, or chafiye. It is normally donned by Arabs and some Mizrahi Jews as well as Iranic nomads, especially the Kurds. It offers defense from sunburn, sand and dust, which is why it is commonly used in the arid countries. The special customary woven checkered model of the keffiyeh may be traced back to an ancient Mesopotamian illustration depicting either a fishing net, otherwise ears of grain, yet the pattern’s true origin has yet to be established.
Varieties and Modifications
Ordinary Keffiyeh
A piece that comes in white/black/orange fabric fashioned out of wool as well cotton seen primarily among Palestinians. This cotton and wool combo facilitates fast drying and keeps the head of its wearer warm, whenever desired.
Finding Parallels Between Headdress and Life
Shemagh
The shemagh represents an ancient headgear tradition in the Middle East. Often made of cotton, if not flax, and adorned with various colors, but often red and white, this piece of cloth is primarily worn by Saudi Arabians as well as Jordanians. This type of keffiyeh has cotton or woolen tassel decorations on the borders; the bigger the tassels, the more valuable garment is supposed to be and the greater the importance of the individual wearing such.
Ghutrah
A piece of cotton mild white cloth, donned in the western parts of Iraq as well as by the Arabs belonging to the Persian gulf regions.
Getting To The Point – Guide
Rezza/Rezza
This piece of garment is worn by the citizens of North Africa as well as Egypt.
The keffiyeh can be seen being worn by men, young or old, either on their head if not around their shoulders.
Keffiyeh as a Fashion Statement
Just like all other wartime clothing articles, for instance the fatigues, T-shirt, and khaki pants, keffiyehs have been popular among the Western, non-Arab citizens. The keffiyeh became famous in the USA when bohemian females and punks donned keffiyehs like scarves all-around their necks when the First Intifada was stared in the late ’80s. The younger people in Tokyo started the trend in 2000 early on, who usually wore the keffiyeh together with their camouflage attire. In the mid-2000s, the popularity of the keffiyeh recurred in the United States, as well as in Canada, Australia, and Europe when those belonging to hipster circles started wearing it as some fashion accessory around the neck, as you would a scarf. Even though it is donned to show unity with the Palestinians, the pattern and style of the keffiyeh has been used to design day-to-day outfits.
If you wish to find some keffiyeh for sale, you can check out several online stores that offer these pieces.