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Jamaican National Dress
From Bandhani to Bandana

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Jamaican National Dress | BanadanaJamaican National Dress | Bandana

Jamaican National Dress, the Bandana is not so much worn in everyday life, but, is a key part of celebrations of our National pride.

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How much do you know about Bandhani? What if I should change the word Bandhani to Bandana? Better? Bandhani and Bandana are really the same things. Yes. Bandhani is a type of fabric which has been around since approximately 4000BC. It may be loosely translated to ‘tied’ from Urdu or Sanskrit.

The distinctively beautiful fabric originated in what we now call Chennai (renamed in 1996), but was previously known as Madras in the eastern part of India.

We have made Bandhani, Bandana and it is now a premier symbol of Jamaica’s Culture. This fascinating piece of fabric though, I guess you notice, is an essential part of us.

It is a decoration for national functions, adornment for the heads of our storytellers and woven into the costumes for groups such as the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) and the CariFolk Singers. You have also seen it when our Festival Queens, Miss World and Miss Universe representatives show off their national dress at the relevant functions.

Although some will conjure up a handkerchief in their minds upon hearing the term Bandana, this fabric so carefully intertwined with Jamaican culture is much more than a mere piece of cloth to dab at facial moisture of whatever origin. It is a symbol of where we are coming from as a people.

Do you know how Bandana got here? Well over in then Madras, India it was made from silk and used to make shawls. However in the 19th century when India was conquered by the British, the colonizers began using cotton to make the Bandhani cloth.

They also began using a plaid pattern rather than the traditional design which incorporated spots or shapes on a primarily blue or red background. Of course, there were slight variations in colour and pattern even from then, but you get the basic idea.

The English resorted to cotton to make Bandhani cloth because cotton was thought to be ideal for the tropical climate. Cotton’s reputation as being lightweight, cool, very durable and at that time cheap, was an easy sell. The enslaved blacks and eventually working class females of the Caribbean region usually wore this fabric.

Bandana is more than a dutiful acquiescence to the past. It is something we warmly incorporate into our everyday life and vividly display at every chance not limited to national or cultural events. Yes, it is a great accent piece, but we use or wear Bandana because we have elevated it from a symbol of our enslavement to a symbol of our ‘Jamaicaness’, in which we take special pride.

It is in fact one of the distinguishing national symbols which help to make us easily identifiable in a culturally diverse world. Yes! Bandana really does stand out in a similar way as the black, green and gold of our national flag.

In the same way, Reggae music stands out as a musical genre. Alright, let’s just sum it up and say, the way Jamaica stands out among nations.

Jamaican National Dress | Women Performing In BandanaJamaican National Dress | Women Performing In Bandana

I learned recently that the bandana pattern and colour which we now use was largely cemented in the 1940s before Jamaica became independent some 20 years later. However, in our 60th year as a sovereign nation, we still see Bandana.

It is at ceremonial events such as Heroes Day, and cultural events such as Jamaica Day along with periods such as our recent Independence Celebrations. On these occasions, you will see a lot of bandanas utilized in various ways. You may see it in the decorations, dresses or accent pieces on garments.

A dress or an ensemble of skirts and blouses made of bandana cloth is regarded as the Jamaican National Costume. A good time to catch this resplendent display is at the Independence Grand Gala or at the National Song Finals. Even from even the early childhood level within our schools, Jamaicans are educated about the significance of the Bandana.

These clubs such as the Heritage or cultural clubs really help to reveal their importance as a national symbol. In the community, cultural groups such as mento bands, dance troupes and even youth groups utilize bandana in their costuming.

Jamaican National Dress | Aliana GayleJamaican National Dress | Aliana Gayle

As you move about the island you will see Bandana in places such as craft markets where it may be used to make the dress of dolls or accentuate a straw hat or throw pillow. You cannot miss it. Even some of the vendors in the craft markets may wear pieces which incorporate bandana as well.

Hotels which feature Jamaican Cuisine or have a Jamaican eatery, as well as local eateries will also likely have bandana featuring in the decorations such as the table cloth or drapes. When we celebrate events such as Jamaica Day you will also see Bandana as a part of the decorative touch that private businesses and government offices adopt.

Quite memorable, and perhaps most famously, Ms Lou, The Honourable Louise Bennett-Coverly brought bandana to prominence as she wore it in her public appearances regardless of wherever in the world she was.

While I personally have a bandana ensemble complete with headpiece, I only recently learned something quite fascinating about the headgear. A bandana headpiece is usually tied with care to form peaks to the back of the head.

These peaks I understand can declare a woman’s marital status in much the same way that a wedding band or lack thereof can do. I’m not sure that you knew it but let me say that I will definitely be doing some research on this. Especially because I am not married.

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References & Sources For Jamaican National Dress

  1. Senior, Olive, Encyclopedia of Jamaican Heritage, 2003
  2. Wallace & Robinson, Creating Jamaica, Our Early Years, Carlong Publishers
  3. Black, Clinton V. History Of Jamaica, 2005
  4. Simpson, Joanne, M. Why Heritage, "A Guide To The Importance Of Our Jamaican Story"
  5. Sherlock, Phillip & Bennett, Hazel, "The Story Of The Jamaican People" (independence)

Jamaican National Dress | Written: August 24, 2022

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