April 6, 2008

Shemagh, Keffiyeh, Shmagh, or Yashmag


Image by Brian Bonguyan

My cousin’s girlfriend works as a flight attendant for an airline based in Middle East. One of the things my cousin asked as pasalubong is a Shemagh. HUWHAT? A Shemagh (also called a Keffiyeh, Shmagh, or Yashmag) is a cloth used as a traditional headdress of Arab men. My cousin wanted one to use for his Airsoft activities.

Some months after, I started seeing the same stuff being sold on Multiply. Apparently, it is a hot fashion trend right now.

My take… might look quite fashionable… but I feel kinda iffy about it considering it has cultural and race symbolisms and issues.

10 Responses to “Shemagh, Keffiyeh, Shmagh, or Yashmag”

  1. drew said:

    It looks “ok” for me. Kinda gives one a “tougher” image. Why? It’s because of the stereotypes associated with it.

  2. Winston said:

    i saw this one in aldevinco (i think)

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  4. annie said:

    ive been in bahrain for 2 years..when my brother arrived there, he was also wearing the same scarf (but he just bought it from the phils)..

    until after a year..we both decided not to wear it as it means “as muslim”..

    there was an incident some arabs asked my brother if he’s muslim ..when he replied NO..then arabs tend to be disappointed having such scarf..its part of their “holy clothes”

    its nice..but like what you said its iffy.. :)

  5. gelo said:

    i don’t really know if it’s really holy among the Arabs but what i know is that it is their traditional headdress especially for men used for protection from sun’s direct exposure and from dust and sand to get into the eyes and mouth that’s why it’s usually wrapped around the head that’s why it also became popular for military use especially those designated in the deserts. there’s a proper way of wearing it, yes. however, for fashion purposes some wear it the way they like. it’s also a political symbol for Palestine and it’s color and the way it’s stitched means something for Palestinians, Jordanians and Islamist factions. now it has become a fashion trend. I think there’s nothing wrong wearing one just so you know its purpose. better if you know its background because you might not know if it’s really offending to some culture or not like wearing the symbol of the Nazis(you’re tough if your wear it in U.S.A.)! Arabs are disappointed with your brother because they thought your brother is their “brother”. i know you know what i mean.. but hey! we all worship one God! just diff. perceptions! no offense!

  6. ana said:

    i love them!!

    but how do you use it…-?!? :S

  7. kwin said:

    visit this site for affordable Shemagh. as low as 160-180php.
    http://profiles.friendster.com/ukaygalore

  8. Jan said:

    this is also uso in sydney right now

  9. Mohammod Mostofa said:

    Like to contact with manufacturer of Yashmag ?
    visit http://www.sb-bd.com
    Don’t hesitate to contact for details.
    Thanks,
    Mohammod Mostofa

  10. Paul said:

    Hahaha!! si Bongi ang model!! w0oot!!

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