Why You Should Buy Shemaghs From Palestinians
Keffiyah’s, also known as a shemagh, are common throughout the West Bank and all around the world. Selling for a fraction of usual prices, Chinese made scarves are endangering the local industry and slowly erasing a Palestinian tradition. It’s no coincidence that production of the Palestinian made keffiyah took its sharpest fall in 2001, just one year after the Chinese-made kuffiyah entered the Palestinian market. In 2000, there were over 120 textile factories scattered across the West Bank, now only the Herbawi Factory remains. The keffiyahs produced in the Herbawi factory are made from 100% cotton unlike Chinese versions which are made from a 50/50 blend of cotton and polyester.
