The Keffiyeh/Shemagh: The Origins and History of The Famous Headpiece | Uniform History

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  • čas přidán 21. 07. 2024
  • From Ancient Mesopotamia all the way up to Rachael Ray we take a look at the simple piece of cloth that has been referred to by many names, seen in many styles, used by many people and for many reasons all over the world.
    Chapter List:
    0:00 Intro
    1:59 Meaning of the Name and Potential Origin
    3:34 Early 1900s
    4:25 World War I, The Arab Revolt and The White Ghutrah
    6:31 Post War and Sykes-Picot
    7:30 Arab Legion, Jordan and The Red and White Keffiyeh
    11:21 2nd Arab Revolt, Palestine and The Black and White Keffiyeh
    13:37 International Attention and Western Views
    15:13 Global Terror and Stigmatization
    16:17 The Keffiyeh, The Sudra and Religion
    18:34 Fashion and Controversy
    20:12 Globalization and COVID 19
    21:41 Outro
    Music by: Kevin MacLeod
    Ibn Al-Noor by Kevin MacLeod
    Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song...
    License: filmmusic.io/standard-license
    Tabuk by Kevin MacLeod
    Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song...
    License: filmmusic.io/standard-license
    Intro Music by Julian Crowhurst: www.juliancrowhurst.com/

Komentáře • 836

  • @moritamikamikara3879
    @moritamikamikara3879 Před 3 lety +296

    One time, when I was working at an arcade, a Saudi man came in and began dumping hundreds of quid into our fruit machines. A little while later, he came to the token shop to buy stuff and I asked him, as I usually do when a foreigner walks in "Where are you from?" And he tells me he's from Saudi Arabia. So I got curious and I tentatively asked him "Do the people in Saudi Arabia actually wear those red and white head wrap things?" as I did not know what it was called. To begin with, he was confused and thought I was referring to the Hijab and he told me that "Some people still do, if they're fairly conservative." but I pressed him and explained in a bit more detail what I was referring to. I saw a light bulb go up over his head and he goes "Oh! Those things. Yeah those are basically the Arab equivalent of the suit and tie, Arabs wear it for formal occasions and the like."

    • @arabiyyah7965
      @arabiyyah7965 Před 3 lety +50

      In Saudi Arabia we call it a shemagh.

    • @xondeez757
      @xondeez757 Před 3 lety +10

      Not true, even nomadic Arabs wear it

    • @kim2894
      @kim2894 Před 2 lety +6

      Well the Jordanian royal family would quite literally wear it with suit and tie, so technically he is right

    • @randomarab3511
      @randomarab3511 Před 2 lety +2

      Lol that's a funny way of putting it

    • @EzKurdim1
      @EzKurdim1 Před rokem

      @@xondeez757 and Kurds also wear it but is quite different from Arabic ones

  • @MaximusOfTheMeadow
    @MaximusOfTheMeadow Před 3 lety +392

    I have to admit, I'm very interested in traditional civilian headwear wich is also used in a military/militant context. I'l like this video

    • @5.7moy
      @5.7moy Před 3 lety +10

      Yeah, the Keffiyeh and the Afghan Pakol is worn by Special Operations in Afghan.

    • @tomh2572
      @tomh2572 Před 3 lety +1

      @@gastari429 you always see lads wearing t shirts.. I would love to learn about the story of them.

    • @sergiofernandez4566
      @sergiofernandez4566 Před 3 lety +5

      History of the beret

    • @fathead8933
      @fathead8933 Před 3 lety +1

      @@gastari429 probably the same as any uniform. They’re clothes, they’re just gonna be less durable.

    • @warweasel2832
      @warweasel2832 Před 27 dny

      @@tomh2572 What's funny is that T-shirts were originally part of the US Navy Uniform in WW2. They became popular with veterans because of their comfort, breath-ability, and ease of donning/doffing.

  • @SDERcraft
    @SDERcraft Před 3 lety +280

    I'm from Saudi Arabia and I never heard anyone say Swissri or seen it mentioned in any books or articles except this video lol

    • @Twentycent911
      @Twentycent911 Před 3 lety +5

      Maybe it is the english form of an arabic word?

    • @M1992sa
      @M1992sa Před 3 lety +32

      @@Twentycent911 swaissri means from Switzerland

    • @6zz
      @6zz Před 3 lety +27

      Fr he had a lot of wrong information

    • @TheMrana5
      @TheMrana5 Před 3 lety +18

      نص معلوماته من الكيس ... وقفت على هذي 😂😂😂😂

    • @b67a2011
      @b67a2011 Před 3 lety +33

      Typical Western , trying to figure out what’s going on by reading folk lore and fictional stories, he could have just interviewed an arab and got better information

  • @m.mohammad313
    @m.mohammad313 Před 3 lety +236

    The city of Kufa was made capital of Iraq during the Islamic period. This caused most people at the time to refer to the entirety of southern Iraq as Kufa. Because the scarf originated in southern Iraq, it was referred to as Kiffeyah.

    • @yakmi1116
      @yakmi1116 Před 3 lety +11

      @Pouty MacPotatohead in Arabic language eyah is added at the end of feminine adjectives..... Kufa is Feminine city name.... Kuf-eyah means it's a kufic-from kufa

    • @MuhammadOsama13-1-00
      @MuhammadOsama13-1-00 Před 3 lety +6

      @Pouty MacPotatohead my bro just equated English syllables to Arabic ones🤣

    • @ehsandarwish6826
      @ehsandarwish6826 Před 3 lety

      @Pouty MacPotatohead u in kuffah can be pretty much silent the transition of kuffah (city) to kiffiyah (from kuffah) is similar to that of (child) (children) (wolf) (wolves) in English

    • @rickv9180
      @rickv9180 Před 3 lety +1

      Interesting, I just learned a new fact

    • @strawhat128
      @strawhat128 Před 2 lety

      @Pouty MacPotatohead
      More like كوفة - كوفية
      The only added Letter was ي

  • @0bserver416
    @0bserver416 Před 3 lety +200

    The fun fact. In Soviet Union and Russia it is used to be called as "Arafatka" - a referral to once famous Palestinian leader Yassir Arafat.

  • @maximgun3833
    @maximgun3833 Před 3 lety +733

    So, basically wear the wrong colors in the wrong hood and you will most likely get shot. Sounds familiar.

    • @sneedmando186
      @sneedmando186 Před 3 lety +14

      Yerrr

    • @jurtra9090
      @jurtra9090 Před 3 lety +33

      GTA San Andreas

    • @richardkent9275
      @richardkent9275 Před 3 lety +9

      This history is complete b.d. these scarfs where worn by Bedouin yes they where nomads but the didnt come from the Mesopotamia yes scarfs where worn by different tribes but these are bedouin

    • @jason8923
      @jason8923 Před 3 lety +12

      Yes, just like wearing a Clear Sky patch as your pfp and a CS-3A armour will get you shot in the renegade base

    • @blakops000007
      @blakops000007 Před 3 lety

      What a dumb comment lmao

  • @fathead8933
    @fathead8933 Před 3 lety +264

    I had a red Kafiya. We were allowed to wear them for like 2 weeks in 2004. They worked and gave a little bit of cool factor to your uniform and gear.
    We said it was to appear in unison with the Arabs, but we really just wore it because the guys on the cover of Soldier of Fortune were wearing them.

    • @environmentart
      @environmentart Před 3 lety +17

      ally af

    • @HappySerafim
      @HappySerafim Před 3 lety +13

      Allyness

    • @aaronsanborn4291
      @aaronsanborn4291 Před 3 lety +14

      I wore one that was black & white given to me by my Iraqi troops in 2004 until we went back to the States in Oct 2005. It went back to Iraq with me and was worn in 2009-2010...

    • @fathead8933
      @fathead8933 Před 3 lety +8

      @@aaronsanborn4291 we we’re told to put them away. We had an issue where our scout platoon caught a patrol from our second platoon running around with no tops, Yankees hats, oakleys. No helmets. Well since we lived in the city we could get away with this. The scout PL used to be in our company and took a pic and gave to him at the next briefing we’ll somehow our SGM saw them. Next day SGM forms a patrol to look for a patrol. Well they found one of our 3rd platoon patrols. Guys were out no helmets, no tops, SL was carrying a shotgun, it was a shit show. So we were ordered that the only civilian equipment we could have was sunglasses underwear and chest rigs because we hadn’t gotten RFI yet.

    • @aaronsanborn4291
      @aaronsanborn4291 Před 3 lety +2

      @@fathead8933 lol I was a 19D...I also trained and lead Iraqi troops...our Squadron Commander gave us a lot of leeway...

  • @Rokaize
    @Rokaize Před 3 lety +61

    If you’re a desert hiker/camper, one trick I’ve used for years is to soak the keffiyeh in water then tie it around your head however you wish. But especially getting it on your neck.
    That water on your skin then evaporating off in the heat feels amazing and is a good way to stave off 100+ degree heat.

    • @5.7moy
      @5.7moy Před 3 lety +3

      Great fact, I live in Texas although I’m Canadian so you know that I’m still not used to the heat.

    • @Rake3577
      @Rake3577 Před 3 lety +3

      Yes just putting a soaked shemagh on your head and let it dangle on the sides turns it into a portable head air conditioner

    • @BlindDesertPete
      @BlindDesertPete Před 3 lety +1

      How do you keep down the stink? Mine reeks after day 2.

    • @twistedyogert
      @twistedyogert Před 3 lety

      @@Rake3577 No batteries required.

    • @herusolares5320
      @herusolares5320 Před 3 lety

      @@BlindDesertPete Frequent washing, and replacing it with others.

  • @johns9478
    @johns9478 Před 3 lety +184

    I'm a blonde haired, blue eyed white dude, and I've been called all sorts of ethnic slurs associated with middle eastern and Muslim people because early on in the pandemic, I didn't own any decent purpose-made protective masks, just a shemagh that I bought for desert camping trips, but of course I was required to wear some sort of face covering in public, so I wore what I had. I have other, better masks now and I wear those instead. I wish there wasn't this social stigma though. Shemaghs can be very utilitarian in certain situations.

    • @av0-cad03
      @av0-cad03 Před 3 lety +52

      Shemaghs are quite nice. I have a couple i use here and there. But the ignorant morons you run into on occasion do prevent me from using them in public. People and their tribalistic tenancies sure are funny, aren't they?

    • @hayots_lernashkharh
      @hayots_lernashkharh Před 3 lety +27

      ive been called a raghead and ppl make bomb jokes about me lmao

    • @DeandreSteven
      @DeandreSteven Před 3 lety +19

      Dont worry about those people. They would be assholes regardless of the pandemic. Im a hispanic dude and i wear mine when i go fishing to protect my neck and face

    • @aaronsanborn4291
      @aaronsanborn4291 Před 3 lety +13

      I've worn mine since it was given to me by my Iraqi troops in Tal Afar in 2004.

    • @johnpetry5321
      @johnpetry5321 Před 3 lety +9

      I have had a red one and a black one for many years. A couple years ago I bought a golden one through a group of Iraqi/Afghani war veterans who sell them to raise money to run education programs in Afghanistan. I typically wear them in the winter as scarves. I have never had anyone say anything one way or another about any of them when I did.

  • @jacksonmacpherson6101
    @jacksonmacpherson6101 Před 3 lety +218

    6:43 Ah yes the Sykes-Picot agreement, good thing that little doozy didn't have any consequences we still feel today.

    • @johnkonrad5040
      @johnkonrad5040 Před 3 lety +39

      Eh, I'm sure it will be fine, what's the wor-
      _100 years of Middle East History goes by_
      ...Oh dear...

    • @alexs5744
      @alexs5744 Před 3 lety +9

      Cough cough 9/11 cough.

    • @erikrungemadsen2081
      @erikrungemadsen2081 Před 3 lety +36

      "The Sykes-Picot agreement was broadly accepted by everyone and nothing bad ever came of it" A history teacher that has given up.

    • @DarkSteel361
      @DarkSteel361 Před 3 lety +1

      Well said good sir

    • @LabiaLicker
      @LabiaLicker Před 3 lety +4

      *rubs hands

  • @KevinPatrickJr
    @KevinPatrickJr Před 3 lety +85

    Even the English words "denim" and "jeans" are derivative of placenames.

  • @najmgamer4172
    @najmgamer4172 Před 3 lety +20

    I am a Palestinian Arab, but I am fala7i (farmer, rather than bedouin or city dweller) and we wear this as well, but we wear white or black and white. Another word for the kuffiyeh is also the hatta, and the igal is the black woven part that holds on the hatta. I recently moved to the USA and I wear my hatta since it is an important symbol to us, but I am surprised to see many Americans wearing different colored kuffiyehs, I dont know if they know the actual meaning behind wearing these kuffiyehs. Palestinian militants and fedayeen, the PLO, yasir arafat all wore black and white kuffiyehs, so it is a very important symbol to us and a sign of our patriotism and struggle against oppression. You did a pretty good job explaining things here, today the red and white kuffiyeh is specific to saudi arabia and jordan, black and white is for palestine and iraq, white is emirates and qatar and kuwait.

    • @jonahs92
      @jonahs92 Před 3 lety +1

      Israeli-Arab*

    • @GreaterAfghanistanMovement
      @GreaterAfghanistanMovement Před 3 lety +1

      Palis are not really Arabs.

    • @positive2772
      @positive2772 Před rokem

      @@GreaterAfghanistanMovement palestinians are arabs?

    • @GreaterAfghanistanMovement
      @GreaterAfghanistanMovement Před rokem +1

      @@positive2772 Not ethnically speaking

    • @Never_again_against_anyone
      @Never_again_against_anyone Před 9 měsíci

      As someone from Western Europe (might be similar with other places in "the West") I would not know its exact meaning without actively seeking out the information. And while the video does a good job it cannot show (beyond hinting) the emotions attached by people with a tradition of wearing the cloth.
      So, no most people are only slightly aware at best.

  • @HerrWayne45
    @HerrWayne45 Před 3 lety +398

    jesus christ that is way more culturally deep than I'd ever imagine

    • @cutestickfigurepicturewith6102
    • @jameswoodard4304
      @jameswoodard4304 Před 3 lety +8

      I don't see what that has to do with Jesus.

    • @HerrWayne45
      @HerrWayne45 Před 3 lety +25

      @@jameswoodard4304 its just an expression

    • @jameswoodard4304
      @jameswoodard4304 Před 3 lety +4

      @@HerrWayne45 ,
      I'm aware.

    • @drakoinx
      @drakoinx Před 3 lety +3

      I've been obsessed with historical hats recently. You'd be suprised almost every hat has a facinating history and symbology behind it. Personally I love the ffa kepi, Borsalino, turban phrgyian cap ect ect. Really cool stuff!

  • @Hengebobs
    @Hengebobs Před 3 lety +21

    Funnily, we were wearing them in Iraq in 03-04' because of its functional purpose. The portion on the head is folded into multiple layers, if you wet it it will keep you comparatively cool for several hours. The "hanging" fold in the front is a single layer and if you pull one edge of it up, and tuck it in the cord it covers the face completely. The weave is tight enough to keep out the granules in a sand storm, but loose and thin enough to see through.

    • @mujtab8siddiqu1
      @mujtab8siddiqu1 Před 5 měsíci

      Do you condone your country’s decision and believe you should have been in Iraq? I’m just curious. War is complex and there are two sides to every story. But I’d like to hear a soldier out.

  • @user-rd5nc1nb9f
    @user-rd5nc1nb9f Před 3 lety +57

    Honestly am an arab, and even for me sometimes it gets confusing lol

    • @billieeisenhower406
      @billieeisenhower406 Před 3 lety +1

      @Shanks RedHair
      chill

    • @KoniTheChiwa
      @KoniTheChiwa Před 3 lety

      @Shanks RedHair “which tribe” like bro, I don’t know what Viking tribe I’m from lmao

    • @z4kry44
      @z4kry44 Před 2 lety

      @Shanks RedHair you got so easily offensive claiming those guys arent arab and calling those countries filthy 😂😂😂😂😂😂

  • @littlecrookedhouse
    @littlecrookedhouse Před 3 lety +59

    I found a beautiful old red/white keffiyeh with emboidered patterns in a vintage linens shop. It was labeled as a Tablecloth! It was my duty to rescue it from this unfortunate fate. I treasure it, but don't wear it as the cotton is very fine & don't want to damage it.

  • @loudlife7648
    @loudlife7648 Před 3 lety +252

    I've only ever heard it called a Shemagh lol

    • @sfctapia4529
      @sfctapia4529 Před 3 lety +8

      Me too 😊

    • @Gekquerel
      @Gekquerel Před 3 lety +30

      same, its weird that he didnt mention that name in the beginning with all the other names

    • @victorwaddell6530
      @victorwaddell6530 Před 3 lety +7

      I think Shemagh is Turkish for " The Bound Thing .

    • @plasmadrone3123
      @plasmadrone3123 Před 3 lety +3

      we call it as "Sorban" here in Indonesia.

    • @electricink3908
      @electricink3908 Před 3 lety +4

      In Poland we call it arafatka

  • @MsBloodyFox
    @MsBloodyFox Před 3 lety +42

    Wow, what a history never knew what the colours where for.

  • @harrybuller8985
    @harrybuller8985 Před 3 lety +26

    I'm the great grandson of Glubb Pasha, I rarely see any videos about him and I just want 2 say how happy I was 2 see this video and what a great job you did! I'm a long time viewer of your videos and this has quickly become my favourite video :) The Keffiyeh has always been very important to our family (especially the red and white), and Jordan always has a special place in our hearts, so thank you for this amazing job!

    • @fathead8933
      @fathead8933 Před 3 lety +2

      His “Fate of Empires” is literal genius in writing.

    • @ericferguson9989
      @ericferguson9989 Před 3 lety

      He was a British convert to Islam, wasn't he? I saw his name pop up in a few history books.

    • @harrybuller8985
      @harrybuller8985 Před 3 lety +1

      @@ericferguson9989 He never converted to Islam, he remained Christian his whole life however. His fist born son Faris did, hope this helps :)

    • @ericferguson9989
      @ericferguson9989 Před 3 lety +3

      @@harrybuller8985 Intersting. I had an African History professor who was a direct descendant of Livingston. It's kind of neat to have even a tangental link to history.

  • @aaronsanborn4291
    @aaronsanborn4291 Před 3 lety +26

    I was given one that was black & white by my Iraqi troops in 2004, I wore it on missions the rest of 2004-2005 & again in 2009-2010 during my 2nd tour in Iraq.

    • @mustafarahi8670
      @mustafarahi8670 Před 3 lety +1

      Black & white used by Southern Iraq
      While red & white is used by western Iraq

    • @arx3516
      @arx3516 Před 3 lety

      I never understood how one coulde wear those things in those hot climates, i use them as scarves during the winter.

    • @adksherm
      @adksherm Před 2 lety +5

      @@arx3516 it’s actually a lot cooler to wear light colored clothing to keep the sun off of you, than being even naked but burning alive in a 130 degree afternoon sun

  • @bedouinknight9437
    @bedouinknight9437 Před 3 lety +10

    The Sehmagh saved me from the desert sun so many time

  • @SirDamned
    @SirDamned Před 3 lety +63

    I bought a brown keffiyeh from hirbawi three years ago, I hope they're doing well, they include a thank you note and everything when you buy one, worth the price, they have the best designs really I find the mass produced ones to be cheap and tacky.

    • @wingatebarraclough3553
      @wingatebarraclough3553 Před 3 lety +15

      I have a couple hirbawi ones, and, yes, way classier than a "punisher skull" or such.

    • @GunSperg
      @GunSperg Před 3 lety +9

      I had a Chinese one that ripped somehow after wearing it 4 or 5 times. I gave that one away and bought 3 from hirbawi in different colors and the material is so much better

    • @MikaelKKarlsson
      @MikaelKKarlsson Před 3 lety +5

      The Hirbawi kufiyas are still great, just got me a new one with lighter colors for spring/summertime.
      A little bit larger and much nicer than the commonly found low budget shemagh.

    • @para-yw9dn
      @para-yw9dn Před 3 lety +9

      thank you for buying from hirbawi! it's a palestinian company and it's great edit: didn't know he'd talk ab it here. that's cool

    • @ROTTERDXM
      @ROTTERDXM Před 2 lety +2

      Thanks for pointing me towards Hirbawi, those are beautiful designs!

  • @fahdkz6302
    @fahdkz6302 Před 3 lety +14

    We don’t call it Swissair in Saudi Arabia. It’s Shemagh

  • @FirstDagger
    @FirstDagger Před 3 lety +75

    Be sure to add all those names to the tags in CZcams, will boost your "engagement".
    Also I love my shemagh as a winter scarf.

  • @mjtheplayer7474
    @mjtheplayer7474 Před 3 lety +14

    Ah yes, my favourite piece of cloth! I grew up not being used to wear hats, but one could say that I fell in love with the keffiyeh at first sight. The problem is even my parents would often tease me when I'm wearing mine. I'm living in the Philippines btw, and I do often get teased by wearing my keffiyeh. Most people here prefer wearing baseball caps, but like I said earlier, hats (especially baseball caps) aren't really my thing cuz keffiyehs and similar headgear are better (in my personal experience.).

  • @3tacoman
    @3tacoman Před 3 lety +4

    Your channel is literally the best , you do an amazing job on all the different uniforms and topics you cover.

  • @patrickconfer3592
    @patrickconfer3592 Před 3 lety +2

    I watched this on CZcams TV and found it fascinating. I’m glad you explained how Shamagh was different.

  • @MrWTF1984
    @MrWTF1984 Před 3 lety

    This is an outstanding video. It held my attention for the full 22 minutes and had information I didn't know. I think it's one of the best I've seen in the past year.

  • @user-bk4pl1hp1c
    @user-bk4pl1hp1c Před 3 lety +35

    There's also the traditional rojavayê kurdish ones, with colorful floral motifs like roses and leaves.

  • @anggastapratama2370
    @anggastapratama2370 Před 3 lety +17

    Red keffiyeh always make me remember good old times where we studying quran in a local mosque, there's one kind old imam that always wear red keffiyeh in his neck. Well we're not in the arab/middle east tho

  • @Amar90
    @Amar90 Před 3 lety +17

    It all started in Mesopotamia Iraq 🇮🇶 ♥️

  • @TheSuperszplin
    @TheSuperszplin Před 3 lety +100

    „Arafatka” in Polish, as an association to Yassir Arafat

    • @ulrichkalber9039
      @ulrichkalber9039 Před 3 lety +13

      "Arafatlappen" in German lit: "arafatcloth"

    • @STEPAN1983SPLAV
      @STEPAN1983SPLAV Před 3 lety +10

      The same slang name in Russian

    • @molodoy..
      @molodoy.. Před 3 lety +6

      I think it`s same in every Soc Bloc country

    • @vaclav_fejt
      @vaclav_fejt Před 3 lety +13

      or "palestina" in Czech. Guess why...

    • @steven_003
      @steven_003 Před 3 lety +12

      @@vaclav_fejt Also knowen as Palestinänsertuch (literally Palestinian cloth) in German.

  • @ChrisRedfield--
    @ChrisRedfield-- Před 3 lety +39

    Shemagh anyone?

    • @PhantomMoe
      @PhantomMoe Před 3 lety +1

      Shemagh is the red one Kufia is the black and white one and the complete white is called ghetra

  • @robbabcock_
    @robbabcock_ Před 3 lety +3

    Fascinating! Thanks for a look at a simple article of clothing with a complex history.

  • @omnirockmusic
    @omnirockmusic Před 3 lety +26

    I remember being gifted one of these from a Palestinian way back in high school and absolutely fell in love with them, wasn't till years later I learned more about them being more than just cool fashion. Flash forward more than 15 years, and am still wearing them.

  • @zazzyboy8592
    @zazzyboy8592 Před 3 lety +41

    As an Iraqi I love that people are embracing our culture even if they are US Soldiers.

    • @marcuscaines9168
      @marcuscaines9168 Před 3 lety

      @Just when i thought i was out but you have freedom now.

    • @thefalcon7021
      @thefalcon7021 Před 3 lety +8

      After the destruction of your country, you like that they dress like you !!! 😧😧😧😧

    • @para-yw9dn
      @para-yw9dn Před 3 lety

      your usernames tells me all i need to know. yt washed weirdo

    • @urielmartinez2161
      @urielmartinez2161 Před 2 lety +2

      World cultures are always worth learning about! Stay safe friend!

  • @erikrungemadsen2081
    @erikrungemadsen2081 Před 3 lety +14

    I need a giant history book compilation called International hat history.
    In Denmark we call the Keffiyeh a PLO scarf. It was a very popular scarf for a period, now it is more or less replaced by insanely long grey woolen scarfs that will strangle you if it get caught in your bike wheel or chain.

    • @TheRepublicOfJohn
      @TheRepublicOfJohn Před 3 lety +5

      "... will strangle you if you get it caught in your bicycle wheel or chain" is the most Danish thing I've heard in a long time. Not something Americans outside the biggest cities worry about. The majority of Americans consider cycling a form of exercise/sport/hobby activity. Sadly, most Americans living outside of the biggest cities would see cycling (as a form of transportation) as either a political statement about the environment or protesting oil companies - or as a sign of being a 'loser' who can't afford a car. I'm jealous of European bicycle infrastructure and the acceptance of biking to work as a normal adult mode of transportation instead of a leisure activity or a sign of poverty!

    • @erikrungemadsen2081
      @erikrungemadsen2081 Před 3 lety +3

      @@TheRepublicOfJohn When i was a kid, the director of our local bank chain would zip by me every morning on his 18 mile ride to work, no matter the weather.
      Last place i worked, people who cycled to work, were offered acces to locker and shower facilities and we could spend the yearly uniform budget on cycling and running clothes as weel as company bicycle helmets and bike lanterns. the company track suits where a smash hit.

  • @AbdoZaInsert
    @AbdoZaInsert Před 3 lety +15

    0:49 First time ever hearing Swissri. We call it Shemagh for the red striped “Swissri” and Ghutrah for the full white one.

    • @adnanhashmi2742
      @adnanhashmi2742 Před 3 lety

      What do you call black and white shemagh like iraqis wear

    • @AbdoZaInsert
      @AbdoZaInsert Před 3 lety

      @@adnanhashmi2742 لا اعلم والله. شماغ ابيض و اسود يمكن ؟😬🤷🏻‍♂️

    • @adnanhashmi2742
      @adnanhashmi2742 Před 3 lety

      @@AbdoZaInsert yes in iraq many men wear black and white shemagh also yasser arafat used to wear it

    • @freepalestine1673
      @freepalestine1673 Před 2 lety

      @@AbdoZaInsert I think iraqis call it agal, idk why cuz agal is what goes on top of the shemagh

  • @johnx9318
    @johnx9318 Před 7 dny

    That was a fantastic video!
    Informative, entertaining and at a perfect pace to deliver its payload!
    10!

  • @krishm16
    @krishm16 Před 3 lety +4

    I love the style of the keffiyeh or the shemagh. Very tacticool but also fashionable, I particularly like it in the green, brown, tan colours. Very informative video. Well done.

  • @Whateverwherever809
    @Whateverwherever809 Před 9 měsíci

    Great educational video of the keffir! Obviously lots of research done. Keep up the good work!

  • @fantasticleese
    @fantasticleese Před 3 lety +1

    It's great how in-depth your research is. Great videos

  • @ThumperThumper-uo9oo
    @ThumperThumper-uo9oo Před 3 lety +2

    Loved the video it had alot of information. I could listen about this for a long time . The history of clothes how we wear them and why is fascinating to me. I wear a shamog almost daily in the United States. It's great for alot of things from protection from the sun wind and ect but actually does keep you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

  • @daniely8350
    @daniely8350 Před 3 lety +10

    18:00 Regarding the sudra, Yemenite Jewish men historically wore it on the head after marriage as a sign of modesty. This practice was later stopped after Arab countries banned Jews from wearing Arab clothing (sudra/keffiyeh, thobe, etc.).

    • @findmemo626
      @findmemo626 Před 2 lety

      thats good cant wait till american soilders get banned from wearing arab clothing.

    • @danamarcotteseiler7423
      @danamarcotteseiler7423 Před 3 měsíci

      Ahh thank you for this information, I wondered if thobes were ever worn by Jewish men! In my opinion Arab countries should not have banned Jews from wearing them .

  • @HMKfilms360
    @HMKfilms360 Před 3 lety +6

    Didn't expect you to make a video about the Shemagh/Keffiyah. Also good job on researching the topic, you managed to teach an arab something new about his own culture haha.

  • @JoniFili
    @JoniFili Před 3 lety +11

    In portuguese we have a item of clothing called a "xaile" from the Shawl. a piece of clothing used around the head and shoulders by women, the piece of clothing probably existed before we brought the word from Arabia/East

    • @jesper509
      @jesper509 Před 3 lety

      Same word used in swedish just different spelling. Sjal

  • @TheAndrew1987
    @TheAndrew1987 Před 3 lety +1

    did not expect this to be so deep, very interesting please do more like this

  • @beetooex
    @beetooex Před 3 lety +1

    Very well done video. This channel keeps getting better.

  • @Gepedrglass
    @Gepedrglass Před 3 lety +7

    An absolutely beautiful piece of clothing. Great video!

  • @gregoryfilin8040
    @gregoryfilin8040 Před 3 lety +1

    Love the work you do! Excellent academic standards and rigorous understanding of the subject matter. I look forward to seeing more!

  • @stalex801
    @stalex801 Před 3 lety

    Love all your videos, always a good deep dive.

  • @kilianhzh
    @kilianhzh Před 2 lety +2

    In Germany it is often called „Palästinenser Tuch“ meaning palestinian cloth, and usually it is shortend to just „Pali“

  • @MarkiusFox
    @MarkiusFox Před 3 lety +2

    I primarily wore a tan with red-brown checkering when I was deployed to Kuwait. One night, one of the Third Country Nationals that worked as a truck driver (his nickname we used for him was Wolverine) cheered me on. I can only assume it was because of that shemagh. That was in 2010.
    Last year, I was finally able to purchase two kuffiyeh from Hirbawi. The quality is leaps and bounds better than the coalition shemagh I had worn, and superior to the kuffiyeh I had bought in Kuwait. The two I bought were the traditional black on white net, and the color palette inspired by Bethlehem, the latter being a Christmas gift for my mother.

  • @diamador4471
    @diamador4471 Před 3 lety +1

    One interesting point of note about the history of the Keffiyeh is that it's speculated that the torses and mantling worn by crusaders in the middle east were based on Keffiyehs or other local headwear and used to keep the sun off of their metal helmets, and forms of this are still seen in modern heraldry, although artistic license has made it much more common to see flowing, torn ribbons from the back of helmets on coats of arms than actual whole rectangles of cloth.

  • @brendandor
    @brendandor Před 3 lety

    Great video, in depth but engaging very well done.

  • @Publius7619
    @Publius7619 Před 3 lety +1

    On time for once. Big fan of your videos.

  • @ReverendMeat51
    @ReverendMeat51 Před 3 lety +11

    Can confirm lifesaver working outdoors in Arizona

  • @joeodell2257
    @joeodell2257 Před 3 lety +10

    19:07 "Anti-war woven scarf", the keffiyeh became popular because of war.

  • @EnkaMexi
    @EnkaMexi Před 3 lety +3

    Yeah, its not only for the Desert, i wear my Kufiyah in Autuum and Winter too :-)

  • @PltOffPPrune
    @PltOffPPrune Před 3 lety +15

    Thank you for another informative video. I was slightly disappointed you skipped over Op Desert Storm/Op Granby so quickly. For the British military it was that conflict that brought the shemagh into mainstream usage, rather than being an occasional SF accessory. It replaced the scrim scarf as being the squaddie neck warmer of choice.

    • @johnkonrad5040
      @johnkonrad5040 Před 3 lety +6

      Think it was even Op Granby that saw the British issue their own tan shemaghs as part of the uniform kit. Love it when that bit of local garb enters into the official uniform

    • @filupe01
      @filupe01 Před 3 lety +3

      As I recall, they had a printed checkered pattern on it as opposed to woven. The Western military use of the 'shemagh/kefiyah' pre-dates Sept 11 by ages. I first heard of it in the '80s when it adopted by the Israelis as 'war trophies' of slain PLO fighters. Sometime, just after the Falklands, the UK company Survival Aids started marketing them and from there it was adopted by squaddies and has slowly spread to other Western Armies.

  • @0othman0
    @0othman0 Před 3 lety +6

    There is a new scarf that gained popularity in both Syria and Iraq, it's called the "Embroidered shemagh", it was made popular because of it's use by Al-nusra and ISIS in the region, most of the time it's black with brown or golden motifs, or just completely black. I think its origins are from Yemen. I have seen people refer to it as "Kashmiri" but i don't know if it has connection to Kashmir.

  • @madmarvshighwaywarrior2870

    Since you've shown it several times in this video, can you please make one too about the history of the pith helmet or safari helmet?

  • @VictorianTimeTraveler
    @VictorianTimeTraveler Před 3 lety +3

    When I did AirSoft I used to wear one.
    People hated it at first but later found it endearing.

    • @billieeisenhower406
      @billieeisenhower406 Před 3 lety +1

      imagine hating someone for wearing a scarf 😂

    • @garyhowlings7474
      @garyhowlings7474 Před 3 lety

      I’ve always used one in Airsoft. Usually green or tan. A good way of protecting your neck or keeping the sun of your head if you don’t have a cap

    • @asmrnaturecat984
      @asmrnaturecat984 Před 10 měsíci

      I would hate it when my opponents looks cooler and badass than me

  • @wma1270
    @wma1270 Před 3 lety +4

    Correction : in Saudi Arabia its not only called Swissri, but it is also called Shemagh.

  • @afinoxi
    @afinoxi Před 3 lety +3

    As a Turk I have never heard it being called pushi. People generally call it either a turban or başörtüsü (literally : head cover , though any cloth worn around the head it generally called that).
    Wearing that is a sure way to get yourself beaten up and arrested. It not only symbolises Arab nationalism but also Kurdish nationalism , both of which are *hated* in Turkey. And by hated I mean *HATED.*

  • @JinKee
    @JinKee Před 3 lety +1

    Did the start of the first sentence in the video get cut off?

  • @hypernova3527
    @hypernova3527 Před 3 lety +6

    Here in Spain, they are known as "Palestina", literally meaning, palestinian. It applies to every keffiyeh type scarf, regardless of pattern and colour, most frequently a base colour with a black pattern.
    It was a very popular piece of garment. I still have a white one, and my sister got herself a dark blue one. I also met a guy who had a ton of them in every imaginable colour.

  • @christopherdunstan1708
    @christopherdunstan1708 Před 3 lety +3

    One time I was in a department store in America. I was wearing a shemaghas a mask. While there I saw a Arab using his shemagh as a mask as well.

  • @joshuarebennack68
    @joshuarebennack68 Před 3 lety +8

    Varusteleka has 2 versions, one 100% wool and one wool-silk that I can not recommend enough. I wear the 100% wool one as neck scarf when fat biking and its great. I would recommend the Hebron Arts (Hirbawi) keffiyeh also, they are high quality and supporting the people that actually, you know, have been making these for generations vs. some factory setup in China to churn them out pennies on the dollar.

    • @maceosikes
      @maceosikes Před 3 lety

      What is "fat biking"?

    • @joshuarebennack68
      @joshuarebennack68 Před 3 lety

      @@maceosikes Biking (usually in the snow) with bikes that have 4"-5" wide tires. Local trails: czcams.com/video/vFcg5qfoXEM/video.html

  • @alexs5744
    @alexs5744 Před 3 lety +2

    I have a few and I’ve been using them for years. I’ve used them in the summer to protect my head, I’ve used them in winter to keep me warm and I’ve used one to wrap around my nose and mouth because of the pandemic.

  • @Enzo6006
    @Enzo6006 Před 3 lety +1

    great episode, I learned a lot

  • @ab5olut3zero95
    @ab5olut3zero95 Před 3 lety

    Since you opened the headwear can of worms, what’s the history and significance of the Plis (sp?) hat? I saw it all over Kosovo on ethnic Albanians but could never get an answer on the significance outside of it being a traditional hat.

  • @f3uibeghardt522
    @f3uibeghardt522 Před 3 lety +10

    Awesome topic. I hope you also do the boonie hat (if you haven't already).

  • @williamstamper5395
    @williamstamper5395 Před 5 měsíci

    Interesting piece, that I have been interested in since I served in Desert Storm/Saudi Arabia region I like the red/white one in respect to that country as well as protective to the desert conditions , and a fashion design, again thanks for the info here.
    s

  • @Bongo1020
    @Bongo1020 Před 3 lety +1

    This was great. The non-military part of the video was probably the most interesting. Ever thought about covering non military clothing?

  • @NaughtiusMaximu5
    @NaughtiusMaximu5 Před 3 lety

    Went to NTC in 2019 and bought a green and black one. It helped a lot in the desert sun

  • @jankopransky2551
    @jankopransky2551 Před 3 lety +23

    In czech it's most common names are "palestina" or "arafatka" ("arafat's"). I have the jordanian kind, and it's great!

  • @kuroazrem5376
    @kuroazrem5376 Před 3 lety

    Very informative, thanks.

  • @johnbeauvais3159
    @johnbeauvais3159 Před 3 lety

    What color were the keffiyeh used by the LRDG? The look to be white or maybe a natural brown shade.

  • @josecrispim572
    @josecrispim572 Před 3 lety +1

    Can you do a video on the Brazilian army lizard camouflage pattern and it’s 2 other variets

  • @Liam1991
    @Liam1991 Před 3 lety

    Can you do a video on the DPM version?

  • @MykhailoSlupko
    @MykhailoSlupko Před 6 měsíci

    I remember how three years ago I decided to walk through my small town (Noviy Rozdil, Lviv Oblast, Ukraine) wearing a Yemeni-style keffiyeh/shemag. The people who were standing next to me were just surprised, and some, like my grandmother, later scolded me for it.

  • @davidjames1068
    @davidjames1068 Před 3 lety +1

    Well done : writing an article as neutral as possible article in this context. That is an achievement.

  • @owenriley5168
    @owenriley5168 Před 3 lety

    Auscam/DPCU video?

  • @misolgit69
    @misolgit69 Před 3 lety

    have you made, or, are intending to make a video about a small garment that again has many many names for different groupd of users but is simplicity itself. I am referring to what is variously known as the Snood, the Headover the brand name of Buff and sometimes as just the Tube used in V low temperatures or high wind situations to basically fill the gap between Balaclava and Scarf

  • @Ryan-ed1lq
    @Ryan-ed1lq Před 3 lety

    I would like to see a video in the future covering the East German army/grenztruppen uniforms. It was mentioned in your very first video.

  • @hikerbro3870
    @hikerbro3870 Před 3 lety +4

    When I lived in eastern Saudi Arabia as a kid we most often used the term ghutrah. I'm not sure if that was a regional thing as we were close to Kuwait and the emirates or if it was just expat slang. Great video.

    • @dkaldossari1242
      @dkaldossari1242 Před 3 lety +1

      ghutra white shumagh red...but most people say ghutra in general

    • @ehsandarwish6826
      @ehsandarwish6826 Před 3 lety +1

      For us ghutrah is usually pure white and of better quality and softer than shmaq which is rougher

  • @supersmashbrosevil
    @supersmashbrosevil Před 3 lety +2

    Looking at the first image of the Mexican soldier, it would be nice if you make a video about the Mexican army digital camos or the Mexican navy US4CES

  • @zulubeatz1
    @zulubeatz1 Před 3 lety

    Enjoyed watching thanks

  • @averagedemographic8933
    @averagedemographic8933 Před 3 lety +28

    Have you made an episode about the “bread bag”?

    • @tssteelx
      @tssteelx Před 3 lety

      Is that actually a thing?

    • @MD_Films
      @MD_Films Před 3 lety +2

      @@tssteelx I think he means the German bread bag, which was mainly used as a sort of haversack by German troops during the early 19th and I think mid 20th centuries, but mainly associated with German troops during WW1 and 2.

    • @tssteelx
      @tssteelx Před 3 lety +1

      @@MD_Films i see.

    • @averagedemographic8933
      @averagedemographic8933 Před 3 lety +5

      @@MD_Films The “bread bag” was also used by different forces at different times. For example: My father was in the Polish military in the 80s and they had a sling bag which held personal stuff. They called it a “chlebak” and “chleb” is bread in Polish so you could call it a “bread bag”.
      Edit: But yes, as mentioned, the world war Germans are well known for their bread bags.

    • @tssteelx
      @tssteelx Před 3 lety +2

      @@averagedemographic8933 that sounds interesting.

  • @pyeitme508
    @pyeitme508 Před 3 lety +12

    Wow and literally second 🥈, wish for Ops-Core FAST helmet with other variants soon!

  • @adamgardiner5869
    @adamgardiner5869 Před 3 lety +4

    I have to wear a neck brace permanently due to spinal damage. I cover it with a Keffiyeh and no one notices that I'm disabled out in public, and in fact I get compliments quite often. I live in Australia.

    • @mohamadsultan9328
      @mohamadsultan9328 Před 3 lety

      I'm glad it has been helpful, it's honestly such a nice fabric and useful but it's looked at negatively in some areas

  • @timothy6672
    @timothy6672 Před 3 lety

    excellent content- keep it up

  • @RaiginEverfire
    @RaiginEverfire Před 5 měsíci

    I have maybe three or four of these in total, in dark greens and browns since I love wearing earthy tones. Though, I think I also have a black and white one somewhere around here… anyway, I enjoy wearing them when the temperature rises around these parts. They’re quite practical and comfy!

  • @Taisteluhamsteri
    @Taisteluhamsteri Před 3 lety +4

    I started use keffiyehs around 2008 and it is still part of my looks, i use them everyday and every season and i have them from original colours, from palestinian factory to one that is olive green made by local Finnish firm, that i use when in military exercises or hunting.
    I live on artic circle and this is one of the most usefull piece clouthing that one can have. It warms and protects neck and throat even in -30 celsius and can be lifted to protect face during cold winds. During summer it can help to protect against the sun and heat. Just a brilliant piece of cloth.

  • @AmaanHasanDilawar
    @AmaanHasanDilawar Před 3 měsíci

    I got mine today...The tactical one and Im so happy.

  • @boy_gilzzyl5894
    @boy_gilzzyl5894 Před 3 lety +1

    Is is the M1 helmet still good Modern Warfare or is it outdated

  • @sneedmando186
    @sneedmando186 Před 3 lety +1

    Good to see a video on this, I hope this stops stigmas and educates

    • @danamarcotteseiler7423
      @danamarcotteseiler7423 Před 3 měsíci

      It may stop stigmas but after Oct 7 I won’t wear one ever again, I don’t want Anything to do with Any Form of Islam or those Palestinian wannabes and their protests .

  • @badmacdonald
    @badmacdonald Před 2 lety

    im loving your channel

  • @pornhub1
    @pornhub1 Před rokem +1

    Video ideas Can you make videos of historic uniforms? asia and europe have a lot of uniforms that aren't used much after modernisation instead of uniform history it will be historic uniforms lol
    93.2k current subs for reference