They’re commonly called keffiyeh, ghutra, or shemagh; the black cord that holds it is the ʿiqāl (agal).
What Are The Head Scarves Of Arab Men Called? Names You’ll Hear
If you’re hearing different terms for the same square scarf, you’re not alone. Across Arab countries, the core idea is the same: a breathable square cloth folded into a triangle and draped over the head for shade, dust protection, and modesty. The names shift by region and pattern.
| Term | Where Common | Quick Notes |
|---|---|---|
| keffiyeh / kufiya | Palestine, Levant | Usually black-and-white check; woven cotton; worn on head or neck. |
| shemagh / shumagh | Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq | Red-and-white check; office and casual wear; many tie styles. |
| ghutra | Gulf states | Plain white cloth; crisp and formal; often paired with ʿiqāl. |
| ḥaṭṭah | Levant | Another name for keffiyeh; same square scarf. |
| ʿiqāl (agal) | Gulf, wider region | Black cord that secures the scarf; not a scarf itself. |
| chafiyeh | Iran | Checkered headcloth related to the family of styles. |
| mussar | Oman | Wool or wool-blend scarf wrapped as a turban. |
| kufiya pattern | Levant | Fishnet and olive-leaf motifs; dense weave. |
How The Scarf Is Built
The headdress is simple: a square scarf and, in many places, a headband. The scarf itself is cotton or cotton-blend for breathability. Some winter versions add wool. The headband is the ʿiqāl (also spelled agal), a doubled black cord that grips the crown so wind doesn’t lift the fabric. Without the ʿiqāl, many men still wear the cloth alone, particularly with a plain white ghutra in the Gulf.
Why The Names Differ
Language and local style explain the variety. In the Gulf, “ghutra” usually means a plain white cloth. In Saudi Arabia, “shemagh” points to the red-and-white checkered version seen at work, in shops, and at formal events. In Palestine, “keffiyeh” evokes the black-and-white check and carries social meaning that goes beyond sun and sand. Iraq and Syria mix terms based on pattern and tribe. Oman is known for the mussar, a woolen scarf worn as a turban, which sits in the same family of men’s headwear even if it’s wrapped differently.
When People Wear It
The scarf shows up daily in many places, paired with a thobe or dishdasha. It’s practical in desert heat and windy plains. It shields the neck, ears, and face, and can be drawn over the mouth during a sandstorm. At weddings and religious holidays, men often choose a crisp white ghutra with a polished ʿiqāl. In the Levant, the checkered keffiyeh also works as a neck scarf in cities and villages.
Keffiyeh, Shemagh, Or Ghutra — What’s The Difference?
Use “keffiyeh” when you mean the classic Levantine check, often black-and-white. Say “shemagh” for the red-and-white grid popular in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Use “ghutra” for the plain white Gulf style. All three can be held with an ʿiqāl. Many stores and media use the terms loosely, so the pattern is your best clue. For background, see the keffiyeh entry at Encyclopaedia Britannica and this official Saudi explainer on shemagh vs ghutra.
Regional Notes And Etiquette
In Jordan, the red-and-white shemagh carries national pride. In Palestine, the keffiyeh has long served as a public symbol linked with rallies and remembrance. In the Gulf, a spotless white ghutra paired with a pressed kandura reads formal and sharp. Visitors who’d like to try local dress should buy from reputable shops, keep the cloth clean and pressed, and avoid novelty takes that might feel disrespectful at sacred sites or civic spaces.
The Role Of The ʿIqal (Agal)
The ʿiqāl is simple but central. Weight matters: too light and wind wins; too heavy and it dents the fabric. Many men rest the ʿiqāl slightly back from the hairline so the ghutra frames the face. Some Gulf men skip it for casual coffee runs, then add it for work, Friday prayers, or official business.
Head Scarves Of Arab Men — Regional Names And Styles
This close look helps you match name to place in a hurry. Pattern, weave, and how the corners fall are quick tells. Use this as a field guide when you’re shopping or traveling.
| Style | How It Looks | Where You’ll See It Most |
|---|---|---|
| keffiyeh | Black-and-white fishnet with olive-leaf borders; soft drape. | Palestine, wider Levant. |
| shemagh | Red-and-white grid; sharper weave; holds a crease. | Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq. |
| ghutra | Plain white; fine cotton; crisp edge under ʿiqāl. | UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait. |
| ʿiqāl | Double black cord; sometimes with decorative wrap. | Across the Gulf and beyond. |
| mussar | Woolen rectangle wrapped as a turban. | Oman, some Yemen regions. |
| kufiya / ḥaṭṭah | Alternative names for the keffiyeh. | Levant; diaspora. |
Pronunciations And Spellings
Arabic words move through many alphabets, so you’ll see several spellings. Keffiyeh also appears as kufiya or kaffiyeh. Shemagh shows up as shumagh or shamagh. Ghutra may be written ghutrah. The headband is ʿiqāl in Arabic but you’ll also find agal or igal. If you’re speaking, aim for soft consonants and a short first vowel: kef-FEE-yeh, she-MAGH, GHOO-tra, i-KAAL. None of these variations change what you’re pointing to in a shop.
Care And Materials
Good scarves breathe and drape. Cotton is the pick for hot weather. Wool blends serve winter. Stiff poly blends hold sharp creases for a boardroom look but trap heat. Wash in cool water, hang to dry, and iron while slightly damp. A decent ʿiqāl keeps shape for years; many are braided from goat hair over a flexible core.
Fit, Fold, And Ties
Start with a triangle fold. The long edge frames the forehead; the point falls down the back. From there, styles branch out. One tie pulls both sides forward and crosses them under the chin. Another flips a corner over the opposite shoulder to lock it in place. Bedouin wraps run tighter for riding and herding. Gulf office wear tends to sit looser with a clean ironed edge.
Heat, Sun, And Real-World Use
This isn’t only ceremony. Herders, drivers, and field hands keep one nearby for sun and dust. A folded side becomes a neck guard; a quick twist turns into a head tie under a hard hat. Soldiers and hikers worldwide copy the utility with cotton shemaghs for camping and patrol.
Sizing, Weave, And Price Ranges
Most scarves measure between 110–130 cm per side. Larger squares drape better and give more tying options, but feel warmer. A dense twill weave resists wind; a looser plain weave runs cooler. Entry pieces cost little and work for daily chores. Mid-range options deliver clean hems and softer hand feel. Heritage weaves and fine cottons sit at the top tier and reward careful care with long life.
Buying Guide: What To Look For
Check weave and hand feel. Long-staple cotton breathes and ages well. Edge finishing tells you a lot: tight hems fray less; tassels should be even. If a seller claims “hand-woven,” ask where and by whom. In the Levant, Palestinian makers are known for dense, crisp weaves. In the Gulf, look for a fine white that irons flat and holds a crease through a full day.
Tying Basics You Can Learn Fast
Start with a triangle. Place the long edge across the forehead. Let the point drop behind. Bring both ends forward. For a snug fit, cross under the chin and pull back to the crown, then tuck. For a Gulf office drape, keep the sides light and even, then set the ʿiqāl to lock the line. For Bedouin style, wrap one side across the mouth and over the opposite shoulder.
Answers To Common Mix-Ups
No, the ʿiqāl isn’t a hat; it’s the cord. No, the ghutra isn’t always white, though plain whites rule the office. Yes, shemagh and shumagh are the same word spelled differently. Yes, keffiyeh and kufiya are variants. And yes, Oman’s mussar sits in the broader family even if it’s wrapped as a turban.
Where This Fits In Men’s Dress
The scarf pairs with a thobe (kandura/dishdasha), sometimes topped with a bisht at weddings and state events. Shoes skew to sandals in heat and polished loafers indoors. Fragrance and careful grooming round out the look; a wrinkled ghutra reads sloppy the way a creased tie does in a Western suit.
Respectful Wearing Tips For Visitors
Dress codes shift by country and setting. In malls and tourist areas, a white ghutra is fine if worn neatly. Skip parody prints or costumes. At mosques, wear modest clothes and keep the scarf clean and secure. At protests or political events, a black-and-white keffiyeh can signal a stance; wear it only if you intend that message. When in doubt, ask a local shopkeeper how they would style it for the place you’re going.
Two Lines On History
Bedouin tribes made the square scarf a daily tool long before cameras. Urban notables favored the fez for centuries while farmers kept the scarf for sun and dust. Over time, the scarf moved into town, into offices, and onto the global stage.
Why Your Search Shows So Many Names
Search engines pull from shop pages, travel blogs, and news. Some use the terms loosely. Anchor your understanding in pattern and place. If it’s checkered and Levantine, call it a keffiyeh. If it’s red-and-white in Saudi or Jordan, say shemagh. If it’s a crisp white in the Gulf, ghutra gets you there fast. Type “what are the head scarves of arab men called?” and you’ll see results that mix terms and spellings.
The Keyword Uses
What Are The Head Scarves Of Arab Men Called? appears across style forums and travel sites. Writers mix spellings and switch terms across paragraphs. When you need clarity, use the trio—keffiyeh, shemagh, ghutra—and you’ll be understood from Amman to Riyadh to Abu Dhabi. For completeness, the black cord is the ʿiqāl. Inside this article, the phrase what are the head scarves of arab men called? shows up so you can spot the exact wording people search.