The Death of the Keffiyeh in Jordan
Who wears keffiyehs in Jordan? Old men? The occasional Egyptian construction worker? The amount of Arabs actually wearing the traditional checkered headdress in Jordan has dwindled to the point where they are becoming practically invisible. Compare this to the gulf countries, where a large majority of the population sports a keffiyah.
I was in Shmesani yesterday. During my daily routine, I came across hundreds of people and I only noticed two who were wearing the keffiyeh: a skinny, old man who was begging on the side of the road and a Gulf arab in the Kempinski Hotel who was dressed in his pristine, white clothing.
This is not a critique, mind you. It’s merely an observance. Has this subject been perceived by anyone else recently?
(By the way, it’s Blog About Jordan day.)
Qwaider قويدر March 12th, 2008 7:51 am
I don’t go out without it. And another one decorates my office, the centerpiece of colleague questions, and inquiries.
Is it on it’s way to extinct? I’m not sure, I’m seeing many people wearing them for fashion. They have been coming into fashion and going away every couple of years … so lets hope …
And The Kaffyeh is right there on the laptop for BAJO
Dave, I stand in respect to you. You’re really an amazing member of this community!
Hal March 12th, 2008 8:15 am
The only thing that’s occurred to me is that I saw Colin Farrell on TV wearing a black and white keffiyeh. I think that means someone’s told him about me. I’m expecting a call any day now.
Batoul March 12th, 2008 8:18 am
I don’t have an answer. I know it isn’t etiquette to answer a question with a question but whats the difference between a Jordnian one and any other? Is it the pattern?
And here in Jersey, it’s been the trend even in between Americans to wear it as a scarf (desert scarf, they call it).
za3tar March 12th, 2008 8:24 am
I think this is one of the (lesser) symptoms of the cultural shift, and i dare say identity crisis, in Jordan.
Jordan, much like other Arab countries, is heavily bombared by western media. However, what really saddens me is the quick, almost blind, adaptation of anything western and trumping native culture in Jordan (Amman’s youth). Obviously, this is not a hard and fast rule, but i’ve seen it repeatedly specially among the youth of Amman.
What i saw in Amman was that the more western-like you behave, the better off (/higher status) you look; speaking English trumps speaking Arabic, putting up ads *only* in English for an Arabic speaking population reflects higher status/hipness/..etc.
I am finding really hard to describe how it feels to be sitting with a group of Arabs in the heart of Amman, all of us having Arabic as our native tounge, but not speaking a word of Arabic.
I am using language as an example rather than the problem. I don’t have a problem with English or any other language for that matter. But i think that our identity crisis is manifested in the language issue. If people can’t express themselves in their “native” tounge, then i think we are in deep trouble.
arrgh, i really need to get some sleep. It’s 2:30am already! and i seem to be losing my coherence already.
azza March 12th, 2008 9:22 am
the white keffiyah maybe but the colored keffiyah is around. in many european countries the keffiyah is all the rage. to a few people in jordan the problem is political. they don’t want to be seen as making a political statement since now the black keffiyah is fatah and the red keffiyah is hamas.
Tololy March 12th, 2008 9:22 am
My father wears a Hatta in the winter, but he doesn’t wear it in the summer because it’s hot. I love that he wears it. My younger brother wears it sometimes but not in the traditional way that dad puts it, he basically does a ‘wrap’ around his head very much like what the Egyptians do.
Maioush March 12th, 2008 10:15 am
do you remember the post Dima (simply me) wrote once about how it’s now on fashion?
i have one, i used it as a scarf when it rains or whenever it’s cold, i just feel so proud when i do that!
Summer March 12th, 2008 10:42 am
it is very IN now, big and huge fashion in Europe and the states.
When i was growing up in Jordan, even young men used to wear it in the winter time. it is a great way to keep warm, and i used to love seeing those young guys with bell bottoms, tight colorful shirts and wide leather belts with the traditional headdress, it was back in the 70’s!! to me, it meant a trendy guy holding on to his traditional values! but to them i guess it meant to stay warm in a cold day!
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Um Omar March 12th, 2008 12:45 pm
I was thinking the other day that it would be a good idea to have a support of Palestine day when everyone wore the Kaffeiya to show our support. I even think women should wear them as a hijab to make a statement. Maybe Nas or others could get on this idea and promote it for the sake of Gaza.
kinzi March 12th, 2008 1:34 pm
I see high school kids wearing it as a scarf, rather than a head-dress.
MommaBean March 12th, 2008 3:18 pm
I get cut off by lots of old men in broken down Nissans wearing them :). But, I do agree it is sad that it seems to be falling out of fashion here and into fashion in the US.
Dave March 12th, 2008 5:26 pm
Many of the comments thus far have referred to the keffiyeh as a fashion statement, especially in the US and Europe and places outside of Jordan. But you have to admit, the wearing of the keffiyeh as a traditional headdress on a consistent basis has been mostly relegated to non-Jordanian Arabs and old men.
Mr. Keffiyeh March 12th, 2008 8:45 pm
dave, the keffiyeh is a fashion statement inasmuch as the hippie sign is. the keffiyeh is a fashion statement for those who see it as a rebel symbol. same for the south african flag colors. same for Bob Marley like hair braids for men and women. they are a social fashion “statement” and people who wear them know they are palestinian keffiyehs. remember the anne franks portrait with red keffiyeh. it generated so much controversy. because people know what the red keffiyeh means. it has become synonymous with palestinian nationalism.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickcalyx/867349732
hatem abunimeh March 12th, 2008 9:49 pm
I noticed what is his name, the ousted Palestinian prime minister from Gaza wearing it for a couple of days and I thought that he may start wearing it all the time but then all of a sudden he took it off and never seen with it again. I wonder if his wife told him that he looked ugly with it and he should get rid of it.Usually, the wives are behind what looks good and what looks ugly on their husbands.
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Hareega March 13th, 2008 10:50 am
I avoid wearing it in the US. Of couse it’s not illegal but I can get into some trouble if I wear it.