Our story
From Palestine. For Palestine.
The Hirbawi factory and its artisans have woven the authentic kufiya since 1961. We promote local and ethical Palestinian trade as a step towards the self-determination and liberation of our people.
A symbol of Hope
The Struggle for Freedom
The kufiya (also known as shemagh or keffiyeh) is more significant today than ever. Traditionally worn by farmers over the head or shoulders, its meaning evolved in the 20th century to become a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for freedom and independence.
During the 1930s Arab Revolt, Palestinian freedom fighters adopted the traditional Arab scarf in their resistance against British occupation. Over time, the kufiya, famous for its black and white pattern, ascended into a worldwide symbol of Palestinian heritage and resistance to Israeli occupation.
Unwavering perseverance
Facing External Pressure
From the British Empire to the Israeli occupation, the kufiya has symbolized resistance and sovereignty for the Palestinian people.
However, the rise of low-cost overseas manufacturing means many kufiyas sold today no longer bear a material connection to the land they represent.
After the 1993 Oslo Accords and the adoption of free-market policies, cheap, mass-produced kufiyas flooded Palestinian markets, putting pressure on local weavers and threatening their livelihood.
The situation worsened as the occupation checkpoints and roadblocks hindered the production and trade of Palestinian small businesses. As a result, local production has dwindled, and the Palestinian economy continues to suffer.
The last of its kind
The Original Palestinian Kufiya
Keeping tradition alive, the Hirbawi Kufiya is the last kufiya still actively produced in Palestine. Yasser Hirbawi opened this historic factory in 1961.
Each Kufiya headdress is handmade using a specific cross-stitching technique that has been developed over decades. Only a few artisans today still master these time-honored techniques, which have been passed down over many generations.
The kufiya is traditionally woven on two layers, the base and the pattern (or flower, وردة, in Arabic). The looms must be monitored constantly. The threads between the patterns are cut manually while the machine is running. After the roll of kufiyas is woven by our machines, they are sewn into individual kufiyas, and the iconic tassels are added.
Preserving Tradition
The Hirbawi Legacy
Although Yasser Hirbawi, the factory's founder, passed away in 2018, his three sons carry the passion, commitment, and determination he instilled in them, the business, and Palestinian supporters worldwide. The Hirbawi factory is one of many Palestinian businesses dedicated to preserving their ancestral heritage and building a better future.
To the world, the kufiya will forever be a symbol of liberty. Those who wear it express their hope for global peace and self-determination for all people.
The Hirbawi Factory persists in its struggle to keep going. In the words of Yasser Hirbawi: “We will continue. This is the fruit of fifty years of continuous work – it’s more than a business. We will remain competitive by continuing to produce the best quality kufiya.”
New beginnings
The Revival of the Kufiya
One factory remaining amidst a strangled Palestinian economy, the Hirbawi Factory had its share of troubles. The factory's production fell from 150,000 units per year in 1993 to a mere 10,000 units in 2010.
At the brink of collapse, the revival of the Hirbawi Factory became possible through a growing online community.
The Hirbawi Factory and its partners at Made In Palestine, a German organization founded by Palestinians, established kufiya.org, a website that would serve as the primary means for the Hirbawi Factory to sell its products online.
The future of Hirbawi
We Will Continue
After supporters of the Palestinian-made Hirbawi Kufiya brought the factory light, the international community responded. And the mission of the Hirbawi family to preserve the Palestinian kufiya was restored.
Today, the kufiya is more than just a symbol of Palestinian heritage. Wearing the kufiya has become an expression of resistance and rebellion against injustices of all kinds. A way to express solidarity with all those whose rights are stolen and whose voices are silenced. A colorful piece of fabric that speaks a thousand words.
To Palestinians in particular, the kufiya can be said to mean two things:
Palestine will live on. Palestine will be free.
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The Hirbawi kuffiyeh factory in Hebron, Palestine’s last producer of the traditional scarf
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