Keffiyehs | Clothing | Accessories

The keffiyeh is commonly found in arid regions. Bedouin tribes adopted it as a headdress. It’s folded around the head with portion hanging down on a side that is then used to cover the mouth and nose from dust and sand. It also provides protection from sunburn. It can also be used as a water filer, makeshift sack to carry goods, a couch throw, pillow covers, tablecloths, and placemats.

The word "keffiyeh" means "from the city of Kufa." The scarf is said to date back to the Sumerians in Mesopotamia (3100 BC) and worn by priest rulers and landowners as a symbol of high rank and honor.

The term "shemagh" is meant to distinguish the red/white cloth from the others as the red/white keffiyeh - or shemagh - is the color of the Jordanian keffiyeh. The "ghutra" refers to the all-white keffiyeh. Other terms used for the scarf include: kuffiyeh, ghutra, hatta, igal, and mashada,