Kefiya or keffiyah (translated from Arabic meaning "from the city of Kufa"), also known as arafatka (colloquial), shemagh, shemah, keffiyeh, shemagh, shmagh, kaffiyah, keffiya, kaffiya, ghutra, hatta and etc., is a traditional West Asian (Middle Eastern) headdress with origins from the Fertile Crescent (Iraq and the Levant). It is a square-shaped scarf, usually made of cotton. The Arabic checkered shawl is found in very dry regions as it provides protection from sunburn, dust and sand. By the end of the 1980s, the keffiyeh became one of the fashion accessories in the US, and during the 2000s very popular among teenagers in Tokyo, Japan, where it was often worn in a camouflage style.
Arab shawls and their history of development
Keffiyeh, also known as khatta or shemagh (shemakh), is a fabric about 54 inches (137 cm) square. It is commonly seen on the heads of people in the Middle East. Arab shawls have historically been used simply as protection from the scorching sun. Today, these scarves have a much deeper meaning.
Black and white checkered scarf becamea symbol of Palestinian nationalism dating back to the 1936-1939 Arab uprising in Palestine. Outside the Middle East and North Africa, for the first time, Kufis have gained popularity among activists supporting the Palestinians in the conflict with Israel.
Keffis (Arab headscarves) have become a symbol of national identity for the Palestinians. Since the 1960s, officials and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization such as Yasser Arafat have worn keffiyeh everywhere they go.
International coverage of the first intifada often featured pictures of Palestinian civilians with keffis around their head or neck throwing stones. But then the hat was popular only among activists and Palestinian refugees.
During the second intifada in 2000, sympathy for the Palestinians began to grow, and keffiyeh became a way of showing solidarity.
“Ideally, I want everyone to wear a keffiyeh,” Habib says, “but if it’s just for aesthetic value, without a symbol of resistance woven into every thread, then they might as well not wear it at all. If it becomes a commodity and a commercial interest, that's even worse.”
The keffiyeh has become a symbol of resistance against oppression around the world. “At a time when Iraq is occupied in the most cruel way, keffiyeh or shemagh carries the pride and dignity of my people and the sweet smell of Iraqi land,” says Habib. “I wear Baghdad around my neck just as I keep it in my heart.”
Today this symbol of Palestinian identity is largely imported from China. With growthpopularity of the scarf, Chinese manufacturers entered the market, pushing the Palestinians out of business.
Why Arafat?
The name "Arafatka" was received by Arabic headscarves in Russian-speaking countries during the sharp escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (later called the first intifada) in the late 1980s. Then the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat often appeared on TV screens, keffiyeh was part of his image. The politician's headscarf was placed on his head in such a way that part of the fabric on his shoulder reflected the outlines of historical Palestine (which also includes the territory of the State of Israel).
How to tie keffiyeh correctly?
Today, the popularity of this scarf in the fashion world cannot be denied, but it is always important to understand the history of the symbols. Keffiyeh cannot be separated from its rich history. Today, many tourists, coming to Egypt, buy themselves an Arabic headscarf. At the same time, only not many are interested in how to dress it correctly. Below is one way to tie an Arabic headscarf:
Step 1: Start by opening it fully.
Step 2: Fold it in half to form a triangle.
Step 3: Select a three-quarter point along the folded edge and hold it against your forehead as if you were going to tie it in bandana style.
Step 4: As you can see, one side will be short and the other long.
Step 5: Take the short endpull it under your chin and lift it to the back of your head.
Side view of step 5.
Step 6: Take the longer side and pull it towards the other ear.
Step 7: Then fold it over your head to the first end on the opposite side.
Step 8: Tie the two ends together with two top knots.
Step 9: Adjust as needed.
This was an instruction on how to tie, adhering to the image in the photo, an Arabic men's scarf. If you succeeded, then you did a good job. If not, then it’s worth trying again, perhaps you didn’t take something into account or you just need to practice, and then everything will definitely work out.
Fashion trend
Like other items of clothing worn during wartime, such as T-shirts and khakis, the Arab head scarf is considered a chic accessory among non-Arabs in the West. Keffiyeh became popular first in the USA (late 1980s), then in Tokyo (early 2000s). The trend was repeated in 2010-2015 in the United States, Europe, Canada and Australia when the keffiyeh became a popular fashion item, usually worn as a scarf around the neck in hipster circles.
Production and preferences
In the spring of 2008, keffiyeh in shades such as purple and lilac were featured in the issue of fashion magazines in Spain andFrance. In the UAE, men tend to wear more western headwear, while women prefer the dupatta, a traditional long scarf more popular in the Indian continent.
Conclusion
In general keffiyeh is a widely used commodity today. It is recognized as the embodiment of ancient Arab culture. In addition, it is a useful decoration for protecting the face and other parts of the body from various weather conditions. Judging by the interest in this accessory, it will be used by many people in the coming years.
