Cultural Appropriation Wearing a Shemagh?
What is a Shemagh?
The shemagh (pronounced “shmog” or “shmay”) – also called a keffiyeh and ghutrah – originated in the Middle East. They are a scarf-type wrap commonly found in arid regions to provide protection from direct sun exposure, as well to protect the mouth and eyes from blown dust and sand.
Do the colors and patterns have meaning?
Most of the differences in colors, materials, and styles are associated with different regions based on their tribal origination. Think of this as the difference between wearing a different baseball team swag for the Angels or Mariners apparel to distinguish between someone from Seattle or Southern California. Additionally, there are many different names for the shemagh like keffiyeh and ghutrah.
White & Red
One style of the white and red keffiyeh is typically associated with the area of Jordan, while another white and red pattern is associated with the Arabian Peninsula.
White & Black
The white and black ones that you posted are typically associated with Iraq. Another white and black keffiyeh with a more "loose" pattern is associated with Palestine and to a much smaller extent Yasser Arafat.
Additional Colors
Pure white ones are often associated with those along the Persian/Arabian Gulf. I could be wrong here but I also read apparently those who are descendants of the “prophet” wear a dark blue shemagh to indicate their lineage.
As for the more fun contemporary colors like green, blue, pink, yellow, etc., you may see in stores here in the West, those more modern iterations are primarily for looks and don't have a historical meaning attached to them.
Why is this such a great piece of gear?
For decades, keffiyeh has been a standard issue for British soldiers around the world. The garment’s use by some military and police units of the former British Empire dates back to before World War II. Because of its utility, it was soon adopted by Middle Eastern units as well, including the Palestine Police Force, the Transjordan Frontier Force, the Arab Legion, and many others.
They were worn while operating in North Africa as a way to combat the harsh winds and frequent sandstorms. After the war, the shemagh continued to be used in both desert and temperate environments. The garment has also been in use with the Australian Armed Forces since the Vietnam War, and extensively during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Since the beginning of the GWOT “Global War On Terror,” these keffiyehs have been adopted by US troops as well, who usually use cotton, olive, or khaki shemagh with black stitching.
How are they worn?
They are often worn folded in half into a triangle and wrapped around the face, sometimes coupled with goggles to keep sand out. This style is also commonly practiced by troops in vehicles who use it in more temperate climates to combat the wind chill of being in a moving vehicle.
Practical Usage
For an Outdoorsman, Survivalist, or Bushcrafter, the shemagh can be a tool with many uses. The shemagh has very functional usage in all kinds of environments. As you might notice, with the right pattern, it can work as some effective camouflage, as well, breaking up the silhouette shape of the face and head. It is a good piece of gear working in sunny/dusty/sandy/cold environments. I went on a trip to Nigeria in 2017 and my shemagh was invaluable working in the hot and humid sun all day. I’ve also used it countless times in the winter conditions and high wind conditions for the face and head comfort.
This is not me nor my video, but if you’ve never worn a shemagh before, here is a fun video of different ways to tie your shemagh. Take a look.