Cotton Jamaican Flag Bandana

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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. If you are still wondering what do Jamaicans wear, the colonial era’s influence is still visible, as you can see if you follow the link. Although Jamaicans have a strong bond with their past, they didn’t mind incorporating elements belonging to other cultures. Called fusion, an artistic style popularised by music and theatre has also inspired fashion designers to create unique pieces. 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.

The same can be said about the quadrille, a bright-red dress worn by women dancers, which is a simplified version of the more complex flamenco dress. They say that even a mere rag has its own story. Well, imagine what kind of story a traditional Jamaica costume can tell us – a story with no beginning but with such a colourful, vibrant and ever-changing ending. The word "bandhani" in Urdu and Sanskrit roughly translates to "tied," which reflects the traditional method of creating these distinctive patterns. The original bandana, the material said to have been imported from India in the 18th century, was made from silk but was later copied by British manufacturers and put into mass production using cotton instead of silk. During the 19th century, when India was under British rule, the British began producing bandana cloth with a plaid pattern using cotton.In modern times, Rastafarian-influenced clothing has become a part of the Jamaican culture. But we won’t write about it because such garments are not really authentic. 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. Historically, is was closely identified as the occupational badge of higglers or market women, although seldom these days.

As mentioned above, the original bandana was actually a square of cloth (slightly less than a square metre of tie-dyed silk, imported from India in the 18th century. And, if you ever need a trustworthy, friendly and knowledgeablelocal guide, consider booking a private tour with us! But perhaps the most visible use of bandana is in the costuming of singers, storytellers, and other performers of ‘Jamaican folk’. 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. Bandana fabric in India started as square pieces of silk or cotton, large enough to be used as shawls.According to Senior, the characteristic plaid cotton material (with principal colours of red, yellow and white), known as ‘native woman plaid’ and ‘Madras handkerchief’, has traditionally been used to make the head-dress (‘head-tie’) and aprons of Jamaican peasant women. However this has not deterred the cultural associations that come with the clothes that Jamaicans make from this material being called the National Costume of Jamaica. The fabric is sold at local fabric stores such as Pablos and Pings or you can buy the full outfit from vendors at any of the popular shopping villages and craft marketsin Jamaica.

National women’s costume of Jamaica consists of a long dress (or a skirt and a blouse), a headband or hat, and shoes. The garments are light, usually made from calico fabric. They cover most of the body, especially the bottom part. The authentic Jamaican women’s costume was calf- or ankle-length, the sleeves could be either long or short, the collar was modest. Locals from some of the islands wore trousers underneath the skirt for extra protection from insects. Jamaican clothes are gauzy but well-tailored. Most of the fabrics used to create colourful outfits, such as the quadrille dress, the Kariba suit, or the so-called Yucatan shirt, allow the skin to breathe during hot weather without compromising style. By the way, here is another aspect of Jamaican heritage you be interested in learning about: The Importance Of JAMAICA DAY, follow the link to learn more about it. 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. 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.

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Men and women both wore slippers made from leaves and grass, later people started to use washed-up materials to make shoes. They were called “wompers” and consisted of a hard sole (rubber or plastic) and a rope to tie them to the feet. Jamaicansoften wear this fabric during cultural exhibitions, and some tour companies have even incorporated it into their staff uniforms to showcase their national pride. However, Jamaicans have reclaimed the fabric from its slave connotations and it’s now a symbol of pride and distinction. It’s particularly popular among market vendors, singers and storytellers. Bandana cloth is in high evidence during ceremonial, cultural and independence holidays in Jamaica.