If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, or even just walked through a busy city center, you’ve definitely seen it. That striking black-and-white checkered pattern. It’s everywhere. But honestly, if you’re asking "what is the Palestine scarf called," you’re likely looking for more than just a name.
Basically, it's called a keffiyeh.
Or a kufiya. Or a hatta.
Depending on who you’re talking to and where they’re from in the Levant, the name shifts a little. In some parts of the Arab world, people call it a shemagh (especially the red-and-white version) or a ghutra. But for Palestinians, and the millions of people wearing it in solidarity today, it’s the Palestinian keffiyeh.
It isn't just a piece of fabric. It’s not a "desert scarf" or an "anti-war woven wrap," as some retailers have tried to rebrand it. It’s a garment that has transitioned from a humble farmer’s tool to one of the most potent political symbols on the planet.
The many names of the Palestinian scarf
Language is kinda funny. One object can have five names depending on which border you cross.
Most people use keffiyeh (pronounced kuh-fee-uh). The word itself is thought to trace back to Kufa, an Iraqi city, though the scarf’s history in the region goes back much further—some say as far as ancient Mesopotamia.
📖 Related: Kiko Japanese Restaurant Plantation: Why This Local Spot Still Wins the Sushi Game
In Palestinian villages, you’ll often hear it called a hatta. This term is deeply local. If you’re in Jordan or Saudi Arabia, you might hear shemagh. While a shemagh is often red and white and associated with Bedouin tribes or the Jordanian army, the black-and-white version is almost exclusively the "Palestine scarf."
Then there’s the ghutra. Usually, this refers to the plain white version worn in the Gulf states like Kuwait or the UAE. It’s thinner, crisp, and worn with an agal—that black cord that keeps it from flying off your head in a windstorm.
Why it's black and white (and why that matters)
You’ve probably noticed that while scarves from Jordan are red and those from the Gulf are white, the Palestinian one is iconic for its black-and-white contrast. This wasn't always a "rule."
Back in the day, before the 1930s, the keffiyeh was just a practical thing. Palestinian farmers, known as fellahin, wore it to keep the sun off their necks and the dust out of their lungs while they worked the land. At the time, the "fancy" city people in Jerusalem or Jaffa wore the tarboush (the red felt fez).
The keffiyeh was actually a sign of the working class. It meant you were a man of the soil.
Everything changed during the 1936–1939 Arab Revolt against British colonial rule. Palestinian rebels used the scarf to hide their faces so the British couldn't identify them. When the British tried to ban the scarf to catch the rebels, the leaders of the revolt made a brilliant move: they ordered everyone to wear it.
👉 See also: Green Emerald Day Massage: Why Your Body Actually Needs This Specific Therapy
Suddenly, the city elites ditched their fezzes and put on the keffiyeh. It was the ultimate "I am Spartacus" moment. If everyone is wearing the scarf, the British can’t tell the rebel from the shopkeeper. That was the moment the keffiyeh stopped being a hat and started being a flag.
Reading the patterns: it’s not just a grid
If you look closely at an authentic keffiyeh—especially one from the Hirbawi factory in Hebron (the last one left in Palestine)—the patterns aren't random. They’re a map of the land.
- The Fishnet: That large, interlocking grid in the center? Most people see it as a fishing net. It represents the Palestinian relationship with the Mediterranean Sea and the fishing communities of Gaza and Jaffa.
- The Olive Leaves: The wavy patterns along the edges are often interpreted as olive leaves. In Palestine, olive trees are everything. They represent resilience because they can live for hundreds of years and survive the harshest droughts.
- The Bold Lines: These thick, straight lines represent the old trade routes that used to run through Palestine, connecting the Silk Road to the rest of the world.
The Arafat effect and global fame
In the 1960s and 70s, the scarf went global. Yasser Arafat, the chairman of the PLO, was rarely seen without one. He had a very specific way of draping it over his right shoulder so that the shape of the fabric mimicked the map of historic Palestine.
Then you had figures like Leila Khaled. Photos of her in the late 60s, wearing a keffiyeh as a headscarf while holding a rifle, became iconic. It broke the "gender barrier" of the garment, which had been mostly worn by men until then.
Today, it’s a staple at protests from London to New York. It’s been worn by celebrities, activists, and students. Sometimes it gets caught up in "fashion trends," which is a bit of a touchy subject. When brands like Topshop or Urban Outfitters try to sell it as a "boho chic" accessory without acknowledging the history, it’s often seen as cultural appropriation.
How to spot an "authentic" one
If you’re looking to buy one, there’s a massive difference between a $5 polyester version from a fast-fashion site and the real deal. Most keffiyehs today are actually made in China.
✨ Don't miss: The Recipe Marble Pound Cake Secrets Professional Bakers Don't Usually Share
If you want the real thing, look for Hirbawi.
The Hirbawi Textile Factory in Hebron was started in 1961 by Yasser Hirbawi. At its peak, they had dozens of looms running. When cheap imports flooded the market in the 90s, they almost went under. Now, they’re the last factory left in Palestine actually weaving these. They use heavy cotton and the embroidery is thick—it feels substantial, not like a thin bandana.
How to wear it without being "that guy"
Honestly, there’s no "wrong" way to wear a keffiyeh, but there are traditional ways.
- The Tactical Wrap: Fold it into a triangle, put it over your head, and wrap the ends around your face. Great for dust or cold, but it looks very "military."
- The Shoulder Drape: The most common way you’ll see it at rallies. Fold it into a triangle and let it hang over your chest and shoulders.
- The Scarf: Just bunch it up like a normal winter scarf. It’s warm, breathable, and keeps the pattern visible.
What to keep in mind
When you wear a keffiyeh, you’re wearing a lot of history. For many, it’s a symbol of survival and "sumud" (steadfastness). It’s a way of saying, "I see you, and I remember."
It’s also worth noting that in some spaces, the scarf is controversial. People have been kicked out of events or questioned at airports for wearing it. It’s a piece of clothing that carries a lot of weight.
If you’re going to get one, try to support the actual weavers in Hebron. It keeps the craft alive and ensures the money actually goes back to the community the scarf represents.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the tag: If you already own one, look at where it was made. If it’s polyester, it’s likely a mass-produced copy.
- Research Hirbawi: If you want an authentic one, check out the Hirbawi factory's official distributors. They often have waitlists because they can't keep up with global demand.
- Learn the history: Beyond just the name, understanding the 1936 revolt helps you explain to others why this "scarf" is actually a symbol of national unity.
The keffiyeh is more than a trend. It’s a story woven into cotton. Now that you know what the Palestine scarf is called and what those patterns actually mean, you can wear it (or talk about it) with a lot more respect for the history behind the threads.