Kefiya or kufiya (translated from Arabic as meaning “from the city of Kufa”), also known as arafatka (vernacular), shemag, shemakh, keffiyeh, shemagh, shmagh, kaffiyah, keffiya, kaffiya, ghutra, hatta, etc., It is a traditional West Asian (Middle Eastern) headdress with origins from the Fertile Crescent (Iraq and the Levant). This is a square-shaped scarf, usually made of cotton. The Arab checkered shawl is found in very arid regions because it provides protection against sunburn, dust and sand. By the end of the 1980s, keffiyeh became one of the fashion accessories in the USA, and during the 2000s it was very popular among teenagers in Tokyo, Japan, where it was often worn in camouflage style.
Arab shawls and their development history
The keffiyeh, also known as the hutta or shemagh (shemah), is a fabric of about 54 inches (137 cm) squared. Usually it can be 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.
The black and white checkered shawl has become a symbol of Palestinian nationalism, dating back to the Arab uprising of 1936-1939 in Palestine. Outside the Middle East and North Africa, Kufis first gained popularity among activists supporting Palestinians in conflict with Israel.
Kufi (Arab shawls) became a symbol of national identity for Palestinians. Beginning in the 1960s, officials and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization, such as Yasser Arafat, wore keffiyeh wherever they went.
In international coverage of the first intifada, photographs of Palestinian civilians were often shown with kufi around their head or neck, throwing stones. But then the dress was popular only among activists and Palestinian refugees.
In the second intifada in 2000, sympathy for the Palestinians began to grow, and the keffiyeh became a way of showing solidarity.
“Ideally, I want everyone to wear a keffiyeh,” says Habib, “but if it just has aesthetic value, without the symbol of resistance woven into every thread, then they may not wear it at all. If it becomes a commodity and commercial interest, then it is even worse. "
The keffiyeh has become a symbol of resistance against oppression throughout the world. “At a time when Iraq was occupied in the most brutal way, a keffiyeh or a shemagh, carries the pride and dignity of my people and the sweet smell of Iraqi land,” says Habib. “I carry Baghdad around my neck just like I keep it in my heart.”
Today, this symbol of Palestinian identity is largely imported from China. With the popularity of the scarf, Chinese manufacturers entered the market, driving the Palestinians out of business.
Why exactly arafatka?
The name "arafatka" was obtained by Arab shawls 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 television, a part of his image was a kufiyah. 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 (also including the territory of the state of Israel).
How to tie a keffiyeh?
Today, the popularity of this scarf in the fashion world cannot be denied, but it is always important to understand the history of symbols. The keffiyeh cannot be separated from its rich history. Today, many tourists, coming to Egypt, buy themselves an Arab shawl. At the same time, not many people are interested in how to wear it properly. Below is one way to tie an Arabic shawl:
Step 1: Start by opening it fully.
Step 2: Fold it in half to form a triangle.
Step 3: Select a point three quarters along the folded edge and hold it on your forehead as if you were going to tie it in a bandana style.
Step 4: As you can see, one side will be short and the other long.
Step 5: Take the short end, pull it under the chin and lift it to the back of the head.
Side view of step 5.
Step 6: Take the longer side and extend it to the side of the other ear.
Step 7: Then wrap it over your head to the first end on the opposite side.
Step 8: Tie the two ends together with the two upper knots.
Step 9: Adjust if necessary.
This was an instruction on how to tie, following the image in the photo, an Arabic men's scarf. If everything worked out for you, then you did a good job. If not, then you should try again, maybe you didn’t take something into account or you just need to practice, and then everything will work out.
Fashion trend
Like other wartime items, such as T-shirts and khaki pants, an Arabian head scarf is considered a chic accessory among non-Arabs in the West. Kufiya 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 purple were featured in fashion magazines in Spain and France. In the UAE, men tend to have more western headgear, while women prefer dupatta, a traditional long scarf that is more popular on the Indian continent.
Conclusion
In general, kufiya is a widely used commodity today. He is recognized as the embodiment of ancient Arab culture. In addition, it is a useful decoration to protect 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.