We have created a prototype for an American-inspired shamagh (commonly known as the kuffiyeh) and want to create a full line of customizable shamaghs. Visit our campaign to learn more about the history of the shamagh and the inspiration behind this product. This cotton, handmade shamagh is checkered in red, white, and blue – the red of the traditional Jordanian shamagh with the blue of the American flag. A white star on a blue background adorns the corner of the shamagh, and the edges and corners are decorated with white tassels.
The light cotton and wool material of the shamagh allow it to be worn in any climate or season. It is light enough to wear in the summer, yet serves as a warm covering in the winter. It can be worn as a simple neck scarf, or tied around the crown of the head for sun coverage, or even around the shoulders.
The red and white checkered headdress of my homeland has been around for thousands of years, before Islam, Christianity, and Judaism began in the Middle East. It originated in the village of Shamakh (neighboring my home village of Shobak) in southern Jordan, and stayed resilient as a signature wardrobe piece throughout the Edomite, Moabite, and Nabatean Kingdoms of Jordan. These kingdoms reached through Iraq to the Arab Gulf, and across Jordan to Syria.
Over time, through the developing of the Arabic and Sumerian languages, the head and neck covering from the village of Shamakh came to be known as the shamagh. Its most traditional representation is red and white, with the red color coming from the Jordanian poppy that dots the country’s landscape during the spring season, and the white existing as cotton in its purest form.
Over time, through the developing of the Arabic and Sumerian languages, the head and neck covering from the village of Shamakh came to be known as the shamagh. Its most traditional representation is red and white, with the red color coming from the Jordanian poppy that dots the country’s landscape during the spring season, and the white existing as cotton in its purest form.
As other civilizations and countries formed, the colors of the shamagh grew to incorporate black, now known as the Palestinian kuffiyah, or solid white, which is more popular in the Gulf.
Contact Information:
Majd Al Rafaia
Email: majd.alrafaia@orientexas.com
Website: www.indiegogo.com
