Keffiyeh Collection (#2)

The Spirit of John King
Drawing of a bearded spirit wrapped in shroud or Keffiyeh Date: 1907

JORDAN: JABBOK RIVER. Scene along the Jabbok River near Zarqa, Jordan. Photographed c1940

MIDDLE EAST: BEDOUIN. Portrait of a Bedouin man. Hand-colored photograph, early 20th century

KING FAISAL I (1883-1933). King of Iraq. Photographed on a trip to Jerusalem, 1933

JORDAN: DRUZE LEADER, c1926. A leader of the Druze religion and political refugee in Bedouin garb, at Azraq, Jordan. Photograph, c1926

HOLY LAND: BEDOUIN CAMP. A Bedouin man and woman of the Adwan tribe, in the Middle East. Photograph, c1910

SYRIA: BEDOUIN SHEIK. A Bedouin sheik at Palmyra, Syria. Photographed by Felix Bonfils or one of his successors, late 19th century

Israel - A Bedouin man from Beersheba
Israel - An elderly Bedouin man from Beersheba, the largest city in the Negev desert of southern Israel. He wears a Keffiyeh headdress, held on by a rope circlet or Agal. Date: circa 1920s

Arab Scout giving keffiyeh to Baden-Powell
An Arab Scout presenting the Chief Scout (Lord Baden-Powell) with an Arab keffiyeh. 1930s

Arab man waerinf Keffiyeh buying apples in market, Amman, Jordan

An Arab sheikh, Iraq, 1925. Artist: A Kerim
An Arab sheikh, Iraq 1925. A print from Baghdad, Camera Studio Iraq, published by Hasso Bros, Rotophot AG, Berlin, 1925

A mullah teaching a prayer to a young man, Iraq, 1925. Artist: A Kerim
A mullah teaching a prayer to a young man, Iraq, 1925. A print from Baghdad, Camera Studio Iraq, published by Hasso Bros, Rotophot AG, Berlin, 1925

A sheikh enjoying the famous Arab coffee, Iraq, 1925. Artist: A Kerim
A sheikh enjoying the famous Arab coffee, Iraq, 1925. A print from Baghdad, Camera Studio Iraq, published by Hasso Bros, Rotophot AG, Berlin, 1925

A Bedouin of the desert, Iraq, 1925. Artist: A Kerim
A Bedouin of the desert, Iraq, 1925. A print from Baghdad, Camera Studio Iraq, published by Hasso Bros, Rotophot AG, Berlin, 1925

Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza, French explorer, 1882. Brazzas (1852-1905) explorations of the Congo paved the way to the establishment of French colonies in West Africa

Yasser Arafat and Saddam Hussein, Iraq, 1987. A meeting between the leader of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and the President of Iraq

WWI: PALESTINE, 1918. Samaritan boys who have received aid from the American Red Cross in Palestine. Photograph, 1918

ELLIS ISLAND: MAN, c1910. Portrait of a man from Algeria at Ellis Island. Photograph by Augustus Sherman, c1910

MIDDLE EAST: BEDOUINS. Two Bedouins greeting each other. Hand-colored photograph, early 20th century

JORDAN: MUSICIAN. A black musician playing a one-stringed instrument in Jordan. Photograph, early 20th century

JORDAN: BEDOUINS, 1935. A group of Bedouins cooking in a large pot, in the Shunat Nimrin region of Jordan. Photograph, 1935

SIR HAROLD MacMICHAEL (1882-1969). British colonial administrator. MacMichael with a Bedouin man in Beersheba, Palestine. Photograph, 1938

MIDDLE EAST: BEDOUINS, 1932. A group of Bedouin men seated at a shop in the Middle East, 1932

MIDDLE EAST: BEDOUIN SHEIKH. A Bedouin sheikh in the Middle East. Photograph, 1932

SYRIA: BEDOUINS, c1936. Group of Bedouins and a European man at a camp at Gamla, Syria, with the Sea of Galilee in the background. Photograph, c1936

JORDAN: GATHERING, c1936. A group of Bedouins gather for a meal around a large pot of food, in the Shunat Nimrin region of Jordan. Photograph, c1936

IRAQ: BEDOUIN MAN, c1932. A Bedouin man near Borsippa, Iraq. Photograph, c1932

BEDOUIN CAMP, c1935. Three young Western boys with three Bedouins in a tent in the Middle East, c1934

BEDOUIN CAMP, 1931. Several Western couples dining at a Bedouin camp in the Middle East, 1931

IRAQ: MOSUL MARKET, c1932. A market in Mosul, Iraq. Photograph, c1932

IRAQ: FRUIT VENDOR, c1932. A pomegranate vendor at a market in Mosul, Iraq. Photograph, c1932

FAISAL I (1883-1933). Arab statesman and King of Iraq, 1921-33. Photograph, early 20th century

RABABEH PLAYER. An Arabic man playing a rababeh, a single string instrument, with a bow. Photograph, early 20th century

JORDAN: BEDOUIN RITUAL. Two Bedouins perform a healing ritual over a sick man, at Petra, Jordan. Photograph, 1920s or 1930s

FAISAL I (1883-1933). Arab statesman and King of Iraq 1921-33. Drawing, c1921

Abd al-Qadir (litho)
XJF391529 Abd al-Qadir (litho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Abd al-Qadir (1808-83) Algerian Islamic scholar, Sufi

BEDOUINS, c1905. Group of bedouin men, some armed with rifles, swords and knives. Photograph, c1905

BEDOUIN, c1910. Portrait of a bedouin, c1910

SYRIA: BEDOUIN, c1895. A Bedouin chief from Syria. Photochrome, c1895

JORDAN: BEDOUINS, c1895. A group of Bedouins in Jordan. Photochrome, c1895

HOLY LAND: BEDOUINS, c1895. A group of Bedouins in the Holy Land. Photochrome, c1895

BEDOUIN MAN, c1910. Portrait of a Bedouin man. Photograph, c1910

ABD AL-QADIR (1807-1883). Algerian military and religious leader. Photograph, late 19th century

AREF AL-AREF (1892-1973). Palestinian journalist, historian and politician. El-Aref (third from left) with a group of Bedouin sheikhs, c1935

ABD AL-QADIR (1807-1883). Algerian military and religious leader. Line engraving, late 19th century

BEDOUIN YOUTH, c1926. A young Bedouin and Druze refugee at Azraq, Jordan. Photograph, c1926

Men in keffiyeh eating traditional humus in Hashem restaurant, downtown area, Amman, Jordan, Middle East

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The keffiyeh, a symbol of tradition and culture, is worn by people across the Middle East. In Jordan, an old man proudly dons his keffiyah as he stands guard at one of the famed desert castles. The vibrant scarf complements the ancient beauty of Petra, where it is often seen adorning locals and tourists alike. In another corner of Jordan, an Arab flute player mesmerizes with his melodies, his keffiyah flowing in harmony with the music. As we venture towards Abu Dhabi, camel herders approach with confidence wearing their trusty keffiyehs to shield them from the scorching sun. Even members of the ruling Al Nayhan family find solace in its comforting embrace as they enjoy tea just outside their majestic palace. In a snapshot from history, Sheikh Shakhbut Bin-Sultan Al Nahyan showcases his regal presence while sporting a dignified white keffiyah in July 1965. Meanwhile, protesters wave Kuwaiti national flags passionately chanting for change and unity. Back in Amman's bustling market streets, an Arab man effortlessly blends into daily life as he purchases apples while draped in his signature black-and-white checkered keffiyah. This timeless accessory has transcended generations and continues to be cherished by all who wear it. Centuries ago, illustrations depicted brave riders atop camels adorned with colorful textiles like the iconic red-checked keffiyeh. Egyptian cavalrymen also relied on this versatile garment during their expeditions through sandy terrains. Artistic depictions further showcase its significance - whether it's an Arab plucking thorns from his foot or "The Distaff Worker" laboring diligently while wearing her trusted headscarf. The story behind each fold and pattern woven into every thread tells tales of resilience and cultural heritage that have stood strong throughout time. The keffiyeh remains more than just a piece of fabric.