The Shemagh/Kufiya

[jakeyjohn1]

From a gear perspective, I have been interested in the history and traditional nature of these for a while. Bandanas are 22" x22" square, and I think come from india? or just the name does, the history there is complex. There is also the jewish sudra from the levant at 24x24in. The philippines has the alampay at 24-36" square. In indonesia and bali there is the saput and kampuh that are 36-48" square or slightly rectangular. Then the shemagh, kufiya, ghutra, and chafiyeh from bedouin, arabian, and persian cultures at 40" to 44" square. Even bigger are rectangular ones like the cambodian krama, vietnamese khan ran, or philippino hablon which are about 24" by 60" but lengths vary a lot more. The mexican rebozo (also a large rectangular version) suppoesdly comes from the hablon being imported by the spanish via the manila galleon trade route, which is fascinating as it was popular in northern mexico at the same time the bandana was widely used in the american southwest in the same climate/enviroment. Super interesting how the variations in size and textile became standard in various places by different cultures with all similar if not identical uses.

 

[SonnyDay]

I believe the genius of the shemagh is the size (roughly 42” square)—which allows you to tie it on your head in such a way that it can adapt between neck gaiter, hat, hood, and face shield—in moments.

I have a few of the surplus store cotton ones (no danger of offending the wrong tribe there) which are great for three season sun protection and warmth at night.

But the fleece one is money when it’s cold as shit.

Which reminds me… I need to order some fleece in blaze orange for those biting late rifle days.

 

[Yaremkiv]

Always carried one. Light and packable, no reason not to. Face mask, scarf, shade, clean surface for food prep, towel, I've even used one as a sock once after swamping out one of my boots.

 

[RockAndSage]

But the fleece one is money when it’s cold as shit.

Man, that is a really good idea. Haven't ever seen one of these, but I could see it being fantastic.

 

[KurtR]

Shit I have had the black and tan one off Amazon for a bunch of years now. Works great out here on the prairie for a bunch of stuff. Haven’t gotten any flack from the tribes out here

 

[RockAndSage]

Haven’t gotten any flack from the tribes out here

In the US context of wearing one, think more...political or professional tribes.

 

[doc holiday13]

The Combat Flip flop ones are offered in neutral colors (I would assume plain colors are safe from affiliations). Maybe a guy could find Egyptian cotton fabric of the correct weave...

You'd want it made from linen not cotton

 

[KurtR]

In the US context of wearing one, think more...political or professional tribes.

Living in South Dakota we don’t have to much of those kind of tribes.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

I have thought about one in woodland camo or just ranger green as to avoid any symbol of any tribe.
Right now I use a neck gaiter and a cravat .

This!

 

[Bluumoon]

I'm sure a guy could buy them on Etsy in a pattern that doesn't look like your on the way to a protest.

I looked. I wanted the “best” production version. With current activities in that part of the world I suspect there won’t be many/any more produced, so stuck w what colors currently available. Lots of knock offs of that particular brand.

The 2 patterned ones are soaking in green die, should be able to claim Rokslide tribe by this afternoon.

 

[LongWayAround]

Being that weed eating and mowing are primary uses, I would suggest the Mexican landscaper T-shirt shemagh.

You still run the risk of "wrong tribe" affiliation, but the Palestinians won't notice.

 

[gabenzeke]

I looked. I wanted the “best” production version. With current activities in that part of the world I suspect there won’t be many/any more produced, so stuck w what colors currently available. Lots of knock offs of that particular brand.

The 2 patterned ones are soaking in green die, should be able to claim Rokslide tribe by this afternoon.

This is all complex. I used to want a shemagh until I found out pretty much any combo of color and pattern holds some significance with ideologies I want nothing to do with. Green is tied to Islamic holidays.

Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

 

[Bluumoon]

This is all complex. I used to want a shemagh until I found out pretty much any combo of color and pattern holds some significance with ideologies I want nothing to do with. Green is tied to Islamic holidays.

Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

Nope. I claim green.

I grew up w neighbors and best friends being 1st gen Muslims immigrants. My best friend would prob give some crap for the white and black, otherwise he’d just give me crap for looking dumb and doing weird stuff.

What I’m hearing is there’s a market for plain high quality item minus religious/tribal/tactical implications.

 

[Bluumoon]

The white/black one joined the wrong tribe, will adjust. Tan one turned out good.

 

[RockAndSage]

The white/black one joined the wrong tribe, will adjust. Tan one turned out good.View attachment 1081076

I'd pay good money for one made with a patterned print of tiny versions of this:

 

[Ryan Avery]

Noticed Form had a shemagh listed on his equipment list a while back and Ryan made mention of one recently on Shoot2Hunt, for some reason it stuck in my head as potentially useful.

Ordered a cheap amazon version on a whim.

Decided it might be useful for weed trimming as I HATE weed eating and getting hit in the face w debris. Put into use for weed rating and mowing fields and found the shemagh super useful for debris/dust/sun/heat mitigation (wet it). I’m hooked, but the Amazon version material sucks.

Ordered up the Combat Flip flops version (Afghan) and a Hirbawi version (Palestine) to try, figured go to who actually makes and uses them. These are both much higher quality than the Amazon version and worth the extra $.

The afghan version is a bit lighter/finer weave and will probably get the most use for around the farm and hunting.

The Hirbawi version was limited on color options, I’ll likely dye this one tan or green. I would say this version is the best quality, but may be difficult to find going forward.


I can see a bunch of use cases and will be adding it to my hunting gear going forward.View attachment 1080527

Not all shemaghs are the same... The combat flip-flop version is the best I have found. They have a ton of uses in the field.