How to Wear a Shemagh
A Shemagh, also known as a Keffiyeh is a type of head and face protection that is traditionally worn by Middle Eastern people. The Shemagh is a square piece of fabric that provides protection from the hot sun, blowing sand and inclement weather. Today, people in many other countries wear the Shemagh as a fashion accessory either as a scarf or over the head and face as traditionally worn. There are a few different ways to tie a Shemagh, all with the same end result. Most Shemaghs are made of cotton and come in a variety of colors and patterns.
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Instructions
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Fold the Shemagh into a triangle by touching one corner of the fabric to the opposite corner and make a crease in the flat end. When you hold the Shemagh, it should now look like a triangle with the point of the triangle facing up and the flat folded end facing down. It will be helpful if you tie the Shemagh while standing in front of a mirror.
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Place the edge of the fabric fold against your forehead and allow the rest of the material to hang down behind your head. You will need to slide the fabric sideways across your head so that the majority of the fabric is hanging over on your left side.
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Grasp the shortest end of the fabric and pull it under your chin, up past your ear and up towards the back of your head while holding it in place with your hand. You should place two fingers from your other hand near your temple while you do this to help guide the fabric away from your eyes as you wrap it under your chin.
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Pull the long end of the Shemagh over your nose, across your face and around the back of your head. It should be tight enough to create tension in the fabric but not so tight that it digs into your skin. Be sure to keep your eyes exposed while you do this.
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Tie both corners of the Shemagh together. If done correctly, you will create an off-center knot near the side of your head due to the inequality of the two sides of the Shemagh.
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Adjust the Shemagh around your face and head until it feels comfortable. While you wear a Shemagh, your face and hair will be protected from sun and sand.
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Tips & Warnings
You may need to practice the tying process a few times before you are able to wear a Shemagh correctly.
Do not tie a Shemagh so tight that it cuts off your circulation or leaves marks.
References
- Photo Credit Arabic man image by serkolod from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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The shemaugh and the kaffiyeh are two different items. The shemaugh is the more traditional tribal head covering whereas the kaffiyeh is only worn after making the hadjj (red for a country governed by royalty, blue for all others).
