Saudi men commonly wear a traditional headdress called a ghutra or shemagh, which is a square or rectangular piece of cloth folded into a triangle and placed over the head. The ghutra is held in place by a black cord called an igal. Wearing the ghutra and igal is part of traditional Saudi dress for men, but there are also practical and cultural reasons why Saudi men cover their hair.
Religious Reasons
One of the main reasons Saudi men cover their hair is for religious purposes. Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islam called Wahhabism, and according to this conservative Islamic creed, men are expected to cover their heads in public as a sign of modesty and piety. The Quran calls for modesty and instructs both men and women to dress and behave modestly. Covering the head is seen as part of obeying God’s commandments.
Imitating the Prophet Muhammad
Muslim men often try to emulate the example of the Prophet Muhammad, who typically covered his head with a turban. By wearing a head covering, Saudi men are following the sunnah (practices and teachings) of the Prophet. The ghutra resembles the turban worn by Muhammad and is a way for Saudi men to model their behavior on the Prophet’s life.
Differentiating from Non-Muslims
In Saudi Arabia, wearing a ghutra or shemagh also serves to differentiate Muslim men from non-Muslim men. Saudi culture is very conservative, and wearing a head covering is an outward sign of one’s Muslim identity. It distinguishes the wearer as an observant Muslim and Saudi citizen.
Cultural Reasons
In addition to religious purposes, there are important cultural reasons why Saudi men cover their heads.
Tradition and National Pride
The ghutra and igal headdress are part of the traditional national dress of Saudi men. Wearing them is a way to show patriotism, cultural pride, and respect for Saudi traditions. Even though Western-style clothing is common in Saudi Arabia today, many Saudi men still wear the ghutra regularly as a gesture of national solidarity and identity. The ghutra is seen as a symbol of Saudi heritage.
Sign of Masculinity
In traditional Saudi culture, properly wearing a headdress was seen as a sign of masculinity and maturity for men. It showed that a boy had come of age as an adult male. Covering one’s head demonstrated that a Saudi youth was no longer a boy but had assumed the social responsibilities of manhood.
Royal Decree and State Control
Saudi kings and rulers have often emphasized the importance of citizens wearing traditional dress. Saudi men are required to wear the thobe, ghutra, and igal in certain public spaces and for official photographs like ID cards. In the past, religious police would even patrol public areas to enforce dress codes on men and women. So state control and laws compel Saudi men to follow official dress codes including head coverings.
Practical Reasons
Along with religious and cultural motivations, there are some practical advantages to Saudi men covering their heads in public:
Protection from the Sun
Saudi Arabia is a very hot desert climate, with intense sunlight and daytime temperatures averaging over 100°F during the summer. Wearing the ghutra protects a man’s head from the extreme heat of the sun. The loose cotton or wool cloth provides better shade and ventilation than wearing just a baseball cap.
Dust and Sand Protection
The desert winds frequently whip up dusty sandstorms in Saudi Arabia. Wrapping a cloth around one’s head and face is a practical way to keep the sand out of your hair, ears, nose and mouth when working or travelling in windy desert conditions.
absorb sweat
In the sweltering Saudi heat, the cotton or wool ghutra readily absorbs sweat instead of letting it drip down the face and neck. This keeps the wearer cooler and more comfortable working outside.
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Religious | Quran instructs modesty, emulate Prophet Muhammad, differentiate from non-Muslims |
| Cultural | Tradition and national pride, sign of masculinity, state control of dress |
| Practical | Protection from sun, dust/sand, absorb sweat |
Variations in Head Coverings
While most Saudi men wear the white or red-checkered ghutra secured by a black igal, there are some variations in how men cover their heads:
Turban Style
In some cases, Saudi men will wrap their ghutra into a turban style covering the head. This keeps the head cooler in summer and warmer in winter compared to the looser triangular ghutra. It is also more secure and less likely to slip off while working.
Covering the Face
When needed for dust storms or extremely hot conditions, Saudi men may cover their mouth and nose with the tail of the ghutra. But most Saudi men keep their faces uncovered for better vision and communication. Covering the face in public is more common among Saudi women.
Bandanna Style
Some Saudi youth have taken to folding and tying their ghutras similar to a bandanna or kerchief fashion. This expresses personal style while still respecting tradition by covering the head in public as expected.
Western Hats
While less common, some Saudi men opt to wear a Western-style hat like a baseball cap or cowboy hat when working outside or in a recreational context. But for formal occasions, Saudi men still prefer the traditional ghutra and igal.
Significance in Religion and Culture
Overall, wearing the head covering holds great symbolic value and importance for Saudi men across religious, cultural and practical realms:
Islamic Identity
The ghutra is a visual representation of a Saudi man’s Islamic faith and beliefs. It signals devotion to God and separation from non-Muslim influences or lifestyles.
Connection to History
Donning the ghutra links Saudi men to centuries of tradition dating back to the founding of the first Saudi state in the 18th century and earlier. It shows respect for heritage.
National Pride
Saudi men view their national dress including the ghutra as a source of cultural dignity and independence. It demonstrates patriotism and loyalty to the Saudi nation.
Manhood and Responsibility
Properly wearing a head covering continues to signify that a Saudi male has achieved maturity and the social duties of an adult. It confers dignity and respect to the wearer.
Customs and Etiquette
There are some customary practices and points of etiquette regarding Saudi men’s head coverings:
Color and Style
Most adult Saudi men wear plain white or red-checked ghutras, while boys wear different colors. The igal cord is always black. Styles and wrapping techniques vary by region.
Putting On the Ghutra
Traditionally, a Saudi man carefully folds his ghutra into a triangle shape and positions it on his head before securing it with the igal. Putting it on is a measured, dignified process.
Removing the Ghutra
Saudi men avoid removing their head covering in public as much as possible. It is considered improper to take off the ghutra in the presence of others except at home with family.
Head Size Symbolism
In the past, the size of a man’s folded ghutra represented his ego and sense of self-importance. A small ghutra indicated humility, while a large one signaled prestige and pride.
Prayer Rituals
During Muslim prayers, Saudi men often place a small prayer cap called a taqiyah underneath their ghutra. It provides a ritual purity barrier between the head and the ground during prostration.
Greeting Gestures
Saudi men touching or kissing their ghutras is a traditional greeting gesture expressing respect. Likewise, hosts may sprinkle rosewater on guests’ head coverings as a mark of honor.
Changing Social Norms
While wearing the ghutra remains commonplace, some social norms regarding head coverings are slowly changing in Saudi Arabia:
Declining Religious Police Powers
With a reduction in the religious police’s authority in recent years, dress code enforcement has relaxed. Fewer men feel obligated to wear Saudi national dress at all times in public.
Fashion and Pop Culture
Some Saudi youth now consider the ghutra as more of a fashion accessory than religious statement. Trendy styles and colors are popularizing the head scarf among younger generations.
Greater Options
Instead of their forefathers having only the ghutra to cover their heads, today’s Saudi men can alternatively wear Western hats or caps if desired, especially for casual occasions.
Individual Choice
With growing liberalization of Saudi society, men have more freedom to decide if and when they want to cover their heads based on personal preferences instead of social coercion or law.
Secularization of Culture
As Saudi Arabia gradually modernizes and secularizes, traditional garments like the ghutra may decline in favor of more cosmopolitan fashions. But for now, national pride still favors the ghutra.
Conclusion
In summary, Saudi men have covered their heads with the traditional ghutra headdress for centuries, motivated by Islamic teachings, cultural traditions, and practical needs. The ghutra holds deep religious symbolism as well as nationalistic meaning for Saudi men. However, as society changes, social norms regarding head coverings are slowly shifting, giving men more choice in how they dress. While Saudi male identity remains tied to the ghutra, its future significance may evolve over time. But for now, it remains an ingrained part of Saudi culture and customs.