How to wrap a towel around your head like an Arab

Scarf Keffiyeh Shemagh Arab Original Authentic QualitPalestine Yemen Tactical An authentic and high quality shemagh for Men and Women. Cotton- Approximately (125x125 cm). NOTE: Embroidery and color design may vary as our scarves are handmade (Please see pictures).

How to Wear a Shemagh ?
1. Fold the shemagh into a triangle. Wrap it around the back and over the top of your head, with the folded edge across your forehead, making sure that about two-thirds of the material is on your left.
2. Use your left hand to pinch the shemagh about 3 or 4 inches from the folded edge and let the edge hang forward.
3. Let go of the right end. Using your left hand, hold the edge of the shemagh next to your left cheek and hold it near your left cheekbone. After you do this, use your right hand to pull the left end of the shemagh across your face, over your nose.
4. Continue to wrap the desert scarf around your face and head until you get it back over your left shoulder.
5. Pull the shemagh desert scarf as tight as needed to feel comfortable. At the end of the process, take both ends and, somewhere near your right temple, tie them in a knot.

Have you seen the traditional Arabic headdress before? Fashioned from a rectangular cloth usually made of cotton, the ghutra, as it is known (in Arabic, it’s كوفية‎‎ kūfiyyah), is commonly worn by men in the UAE. Females wear what is called a Sheila. These can be more colorful. 

It's important to know that the ghutra serves many practical purposes. Firstly, it protects against sunburn. Normally it would be white, or white and red, helping to keep cool during hot days. Or, during cold nights, you can get a thick one for warmth. The ghutra also offers protection against dust and sandstorms, which comes in handy.

When you embark on a desert safari with Platinum Heritage, you will receive one as a gift to take home with you. It's important that you wear it correctly, to show respect to the local custom. 

You can follow the below guidelines to ensure your ghutra-tying skills are correct:

1. Fold the ghutra

To start, half-fold the ghutra. Do not fold it in half—rather, fold one end to the halfway point.

2. Place the ghutra on your head

When you put the ghutra on your head, place the folded half over the top of your head. The unfolded half should be on the back of your head and neck.

3. Twist the two ends

There are two ends hanging down over the front of your body. Give both sides two turns moving in the outwards direction (not in toward your body).

4. Pull the two ends over your back and cross

For this step, you will need some flexibility. Pull the two ends over your shoulders and cross them behind your head and neck. Doing this provides the ghutra with the signature bulge at the bottom of the headdress.

5. Bring the two ends back to the front

Once the two ends have been twisted and crossed, bring them back to the front side of your body (one dangling over your left side and one over your right side).

6. Wrap one end around your head

Take one end and wrap it over your forehead and around the back. Tuck and squeeze it into a pocket on the back of your lower head.
Note: Lines, or layers, are important to how the ghutra looks. Great ones can get 10-plus lines, which can be hard for beginners. Try for two lines or layers of cloth for the first end.

7. Wrap the second end around your head

The second end is what will be mostly seen by others. Wrap it around in the same manner. Again, try for two lines. Another thing you can do here is slide the end through to create a tail-like appearance on the side.

After that, check the back and front to make sure it all looks all right. Chances are you may need to try this process a few times before getting good. Remember: Practice makes perfect.

It’s time to wear your ghutra!

You’ve read the instructions. Next time you come to the UAE, put your skills to the test. You’ll not only look awesome and feel cozy, you’ll impress folks with your capabilities.

The shemagh (pronounced “schmog”) – also called a keffiyeh and ghutrah – originated in the Middle East. They are a scarf-type wrap commonly found in arid regions to provide protection from direct sun exposure, as well to protect the mouth and eyes from blown dust and sand. It’s similar to a bandana, except much larger – approximately 42″ x 42″. It has been adopted by military forces all over the world as a standard issue garment because of its sheer functionality.

For decades, keffiyeh have been issued to British soldiers. The garment’s use by some military and police units of the former British Empire dates back to before World War II. Because of its utility, it was soon adopted by Middle Eastern units as well, including the Palestine Police Force, the Transjordan Frontier Force, the Arab Legion, and many others. They were worn while operating in North Africa as a way to combat the harsh winds and frequent sandstorms. After the war the shemagh continued to be used in both desert and temperate environments. The garment has also been in use with Australian armed forces since the Vietnam War, and extensively during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Since the beginning of the “War on Terror,” these keffiyeh have been adopted by US troops as well, who usually use cotton olive or khaki ones with black stitching. They are often worn folded in half into a triangle and wrapped around the face, sometimes coupled with goggles to keep sand out. This style is also commonly practiced by troops in vehicles who use it in more temperate climates to combat the wind chill of being in a moving vehicle.

For an outdoorsman, survivalist, or bushcrafter, the shemagh can be a tool with literally hundreds of uses. This post is simply a quick tutorial in how to tie a shemagh as a face mask and/or head wrap. This is a very functional use in all kinds of environments. As you can see, with the right pattern, it can work as some effective camo as well. Using it as shown below is great for dusty/sandy environments. I went on a trip to the Sand Dunes in Michigan not too long ago and my shemagh was invaluable! I’ve also used it countless times in the winter for face and head protection.

I’m sure there are other ways to tie this as a face mask, but below is the way I do it. There is also a video at the bottom.

Step 1: Start with it open in a full square.

Step 2: Fold it in half to form a triangle.

Step 3: Choose a point three-quarters the way along the folded edge and hold it to your forehead like you are going to tie it bandana style.

Step 4: As you can see, one side will be short and one side will be long.

Step 5: Take the shorter end and pull in under your chin and up toward the back of your head.

Side view of Step 5.

Step 6: Take the longer side and pull it across your face.

Step 7: Then wrap it up over your head toward the other end on the opposite side.

Step 8: Tie the two ends together using two overhand knots.

Step 9: Adjust as necessary.

This green/black pattern makes for awesome camo. I also own a tan/white color scheme that makes for perfect winter camo as well.

How-to Video

Creek Stewart is a Senior Instructor at the Willow Haven Outdoor School for Survival, Preparedness & Bushcraft. Creek’s passion is teaching, sharing, and preserving outdoor living and survival skills. Creek is also the author of the book Build the Perfect Bug Out Bag: Your 72-Hour Disaster Survival Kit. For more information, visit Willow Haven Outdoor.