Terrorists often wear various types of headgear, but two notable examples include the black balaclava and the keffiyeh. The black balaclava is commonly used by jihadi terrorists as part of a paramilitary, combatant look symbolizing toughness and an imagined wartime army. It also has apocalyptic connotations linked to black flags in jihadi ideology. On the other hand, the keffiyeh, a black-and-white checkered scarf traditionally worn by Palestinians, is sometimes seen associated with terrorists in Western narratives. However, the keffiyeh is primarily a symbol of Palestinian nationalism, resistance, and cultural identity and not inherently a terrorist garment. Its association with terrorism mainly stems from its use by Palestinian militants historically and subsequent media portrayals, but it has broad cultural and political significance beyond that context.
Common Terrorist Headgear
- Black Balaclava: Worn to convey military toughness and unity in jihadi groups; black is symbolic relating to religious prophecy and apocalyptic imagery.
- Keffiyeh: Traditional Palestinian headdress turned political symbol, often misunderstood or misrepresented in Western media as "terrorist headgear."
This distinction is important to understand the cultural and political meanings behind what is worn on the head by individuals identified or labeled as terrorists in different contexts.
