MILSPEC SURPLUS 100% Cotton Plain Black Palestinian Shemagh Arab Keffiyeh Headscarf Unisex Desert Shawl Hijab Scarf

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Weir, Shelagh, Palestinian Costume (London: British Museum, 1989) Related Objects from the Collection Bramley, Ellie Violet (9 August 2019). "The keffiyeh: symbol of Palestinian struggle falls victim to fashion". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Hundreds show up for pro-Palestinian rally in Vancouver". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 9 October 2023 . Retrieved 2 November 2023. After supporters of the Palestinian-made Hirbawi Kufiya brought the factory light, the international community responded. And the mission of the Hirbawi Family to preserve the Palestinian Kufiya was invigorated. Son of Yasser Hirbawi, Jouda Hirbawi (Right) and founder of Kufiya.org and Hirbawi Europe, Nael Al Qassis (Left). The 1920s silent-film era of American cinema saw studios take to Orientalist themes of the exotic Middle East, possibly due to the view of Arabs as part of the Allies of World War I, and keffiyehs became a standard part of the theatrical wardrobe. These films and their male leads typically had Western actors in the role of an Arab, often wearing the keffiyeh with the agal (as with The Sheik and The Son of the Sheik, starring actor Rudolph Valentino).

In the late 20th century, the Keffiyeh found its way onto the streets of Western cities, worn by activists and advocates for Palestinian rights. International supporters recognized that donning the Keffiyeh was not just a fashion statement but a powerful way to express their solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for justice and self-determination. This global trend brought the Keffiyeh into the mainstream, making it a recognizable symbol even among those who may not fully grasp its historical and cultural significance. Fashion and Cultural Impact In terms of new colors and styles of the keffiyeh, it’s natural for things to develop and have new colors to make it more attractive for others to buy. If the factory refused to manufacture other styles and colors, they wouldn’t sell enough to sustain the business and the factory would shut down its operations. This symbolism only grew more potent as these struggles became more intense. Following the 1947 – 48 war, the state of Israel was founded and 770,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homes (known as the Nakba to Palestinians). Further dispossessions took place after the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza in 1967. This sparked the use in Palestinian nationalist poetry and rhetoric of symbols connected with a rural way of life – the peasant farmer (fellah), the keffiyeh, the olive tree, the cactus, traditional crafts such as embroidery, all became, as Ted Swedenburg has put it, “allegories for Palestine, the land, and the people’s intention of remaining permanently on the land”. Yasser Arafat speaking at ‘From Peacemaking to Peacebuilding’ at the World Economic Forum, 2001. Courtesy of wikicommonsShemagh scarves can be used as pillows. Sleeping in a tent is hard enough. It’s even worse if you don’t have any way to support your head while you try to sleep. If you have a shemagh with you it can be rolled up and used as a very acceptable pillow in its own right. Or, if you have an inflatable pillow, you can wrap it in your shemagh to make the surface more agreeable to your skin. In conclusion, Keffiyeh's journey from the arid lands of Palestine to global fashion stages is a testament to its enduring appeal. However, as it weaves its way around the world, it's essential to remember the stories, struggles, and spirit it embodies. What is Keffiyeh Made From? Report on the situation in Palestine, Part 1, CO 935/21. Confidential Print: Middle East, 1839–1969 (Report). p.47 – via Adam Matthew Digital.

In recent years, the Keffiyeh has transcended its regional roots, finding its way into global fashion runways, celebrity wardrobes, and street style across continents. While its widespread adoption is a testament to its aesthetic appeal and versatility, it has also ignited a debate that treads the fine line between cultural appreciation and appropriation. Bobby Caina Calvan; Jake Bleiberg (9 October 2023). "Demonstrators rally across the U.S. in response to violent conflict between Israel and Hamas". PBS. Associated Press . Retrieved 2 November 2023.However, mainstream adoption of the scarf has not translated into success for Palestinian manufacturers. Local Palestinian keffiyeh factories have shut down as the scarf began being mass produced in places such as China. Swedenburg, Ted (1995). Memories of Revolt: The 1936–1939 Rebellion and the Palestinian National Past. University of Minnesota Press. p.34. ISBN 978-1-557-28763-2. Despite its enduring symbolism, the Keffiyeh faces challenges in the modern world. One of the most significant obstacles is the decline of traditional Keffiyeh production in Palestine. The Hirbawi factory in Hebron, the last remaining Keffiyeh factory in the region, struggles to maintain its operations due to various economic and political factors. The scarcity of local production threatens the authenticity and availability of this iconic symbol.

Its prominence increased during the 1960s with the beginning of the Palestinian resistance movement and its adoption by Palestinian politician Yasser Arafat. [2] Fashion Accessory : The fashion world has adopted the Keffiyeh as a trendy accessory, worn by people around the globe who appreciate its aesthetic appeal and the cultural narrative it embodies. It is fashioned from a square scarf, and is usually made of cotton. [2] The keffiyeh is commonly found in arid regions, as it provides protection from sunburn, dust and sand. An agal is often used by Arabs to keep it in place. Ramachandran, Arjun (30 May 2008). "Keffiyeh kerfuffle hits Bondi bottleshop". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Archived from the original on 29 August 2011 . Retrieved 24 September 2013.Cultural Appropriation: On the flip side, cultural appropriation is when elements of one culture are borrowed, often superficially, by another culture, particularly when the adopting culture has historically oppressed or colonized the original culture. Critics argue that when the Keffiyeh is worn as a mere fashion statement, devoid of its historical and political significance, it dilutes its value and can even be seen as disrespectful. A fishnet is an image of collectivism, of entanglement and dependence: in a net, singular strands become something larger, stronger. As one strand, I am always yearning to be knotted together with others, so that we are better able to hold, to catch." When Israeli occupation authorities banned the Palestinian flag from 1967 until the Oslo Accords in 1993, the scarf took on a potent symbolism, according to Ted Swedenburg, professor of anthropology at Arkansas University. Olive Leaves: Symbolizing the deep-rooted heritage of Palestine, the olive leaves woven into the keffiyeh carry a profound message of hope and endurance. These leaves extend beyond symbolism; they represent the economic and cultural significance of olives in Palestinian life. Today, approximately 100,000 families in Palestinian territories depend on the production of Palestinian olive oil and its derivatives as a vital source of income.

Students and anti-war campaigners around the world began adopting the Palestinian keffiyeh as part of the anti-war movement in the 60s and 70s. Swedenburg says it was at this time that it transcended the Arab world and became a garment of choice among political protesters and anti-missile advocates, and a symbol of resistance worn by other anti-imperialists, like the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro. The Shemagh, another term for the Keffiyeh, is a versatile piece of fabric that can be styled in numerous ways. Here's a simplified guide to wearing it: British-Palestinian hip-hop rapper Shadia Mansour denounced cultural appropriation of the keffiyeh, defending it as a symbol of Palestinian solidarity, in her first single, " al-Kūfīyah 'Arabīyah" ("The keffiyeh is Arab"). [10] It has been described by some as "a fishing net, a honeycomb, the joining of hands, or the marks of dirt and sweat wiped off a worker's brow". Others suggest the design represents ears of wheat, in reference to Jericho, one of the first known cities to cultivate the grain.

The Keffiyeh, the Shemagh, and the Ghutra

Traditionally worn by farmers on the head or shoulders, the kufiya was adopted by freedom fighters in resistance to occupation by the British Empire. In all its interpretations, the fishnet pattern becomes a symbol of identity and resistance – an identity that faces the threat of erasure and the necessity to stand resolute against adversity. Each interpretation carries its own unique identity, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the Palestinian struggle. Thompson, Angus (16 October 2023). "Lidia Thorpe dons keffiyeh in Senate to speak on Palestine". The Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 2 November 2023. Donica, Joseph (10 November 2020), "Head Coverings, Arab Identity, and New Materialism", All Things Arabia, Brill, pp.163–176, ISBN 978-90-04-43592-6 , retrieved 18 October 2023