Shemagh, arafatka or keffiyeh is a men's headdress that is very versatile. It not only protects the head from the sun, wind and frost, but also the neck from blowing by the wind. It is important to know how to properly tie a shemag so that it acts in this way.
What does a shemag look like?
Arafatka is popular among Arabs and is worn during extreme heat to prevent the possibility of sunstroke. The scarf perfectly protects from strong and “prickly” winds. Arabs usually complement this accessory with a black hoop located on their heads. It helps to fix the keffiyeh, not letting it fall. With frequent winds in desert places, this is true.
In Arab countries, they know especially well how to tie a shemag, so they wear it in many ways. In some countries of the East, a scarf is worn on the head, just throwing it in, it is not fixed by anything. In Oman, a special turban is made of fabric.
Appearance
The name "arafatka" appeared due to the conflict in Palestine. Yasser Arafat, leader of the Palestinians, wore a keffiyeh in a special way that was not like the usual. The falling end was on the shoulders.
In the countries of the East, arafatki were also used by ordinary British soldiers to protect them from bad weather or heat.
In the XX century, the keffiyeh becomes a fashionable attribute, it is used by many girls who know exactly how to tie a shemagh on the neck.
The usual color of arafatki is a checkered print, usually made in black and white. Later, a huge number of diverse colors appears, but one thing that remains familiar is the cell.
Some people sometimes prefer a solid color. For example, American soldiers often wear shemagi of olive and sand colors, thereby solving two problems. Firstly, this is a great way to hide from the enemy in the sand, and secondly, to protect yourself from sunlight.
The composition of the keffiyeh fabric is based on natural ingredients; it is made from wool or cotton without any impurities. Thanks to this, air circulates and the skin under the scarf constantly breathes.
How to tie a shemag around the neck?
Most often, arafatka is tied around the neck, adhering to the classical method. Therefore, the answer to the question of how to tie a shemag is precisely this option. There are, however, several more methods that are also popular.
- Classic - for this you need to fold the keffiye diagonally to make a triangle. Its top should be located on the chest, and the tips need to be crossed at the back of the head, and then returned back, leading forward. The ends can be left in this position or tied with a neat knot and hidden.
- With a tourniquet - a diagonal handkerchief also folds up, twists and slips around the neck.
- Extravagant - a triangle folded shawl is placed on the chest in a known manner, but the ends are tied behind and remain there.
- Elegant - this option is suitable for unusual and creative people, as he emphasizes this. The fabric is folded in a triangle, slung over the shoulders, and then tied in front to two knots that are not too tight.
Knowing how to tie a shemag in different ways, a person will be able to look stylish and fashionable. Also properly tied arafatka will be able to provide good protection.
Shemag for the head
The keffiyeh was originally intended to be worn on the head, so there are a lot of ways that demonstrate how to tie a shemag on the head:
- Classic is the most common way, which is based on simply throwing a scarf over your head.
- Berber - the scarf is folded in half and placed on the head, with one end should be on the shoulder. On the other side, the fabric breaks over the ear. The free part is applied to the face so that the fabric covers his eyes. The nape is completely wrapped with this part of the arafatka and fastened on the other side. The same thing is done with the other half.
Mask
A mask is one of the ways to tie a shemag on your head.
It is necessary to fold the scarf diagonally, making a tight triangle. It must then be placed on the head so that one side is longer than the other. The long part should be twisted with a flagellum and round the chin with it, passing to the opposite side. Leave the long end, and cover part of the face with the short one. He, that is, smaller, needs to wrap the back of his head and draw it to the other side. Next, both ends must be connected by a knot, and the fabric itself put in order, straightening it as necessary.
As you can see, tying a shemag is not so difficult. It’s worth a little training, and everything will work out.
The use of keffiyeh
Shemagh is a universal remedy, it is considered indispensable in the countries of the East. Without him, they don’t even dare leave home. This is due not only to ethical perceptions, but also to security concerns.
The versatility of arafatki is that it can be used:
- As protection against dust, sand, as well as from the hot rays of the sun. A keffiyeh placed on the face helps protect the airways from getting dirt.
- As a means of protection from cold and snow in winter, kufiya warms perfectly, as it consists of wool, it does not allow cold air to penetrate under clothes.
- As a way to prevent burns. In the sultry desert, the sun is very hot, so often it affects the skin negatively. The best option is to wear a light shemag, which does not attract heat and reflects the sun's rays.
- As an additional aid in cases where the arm is broken. This is especially true for soldiers, they do not have time to look for special devices. You can wrap the hand with a keffiyeh and fix it by tying a scarf around the shoulder on a strong knot.