Kūfīyah , Keffiyeh, Shemagh, Hatta, Ghutrah

The keffiyeh holds a long history within the Levant; a folk etymology of the word keffiyeh can be traced to the city of Kufa, Iraq. Nomadic communities, or Bedouins, wore headdresses to protect themselves from the arid climates within the region. Over the last century, the black and white chequered patterns of the keffiyeh have become synonymous with Palestinian identity.

The three main motifs symbolize important aspects of Palestinian identity: the bold lines represent the historical trade routes through Palestine, connecting traders and cultures. The chequered, net-like patterns represent the fishermen and the ties of the Mediterranean Sea. And the curved lines represent the leaves of the olive trees which symbolize the Palestinians' strong economic and spiritual connection to the land.

The black and white keffiyeh has grown globally, used by activists to share their solidarity in both preserving Palestinian heritage and supporting their return home.