Sometimes a #Hliday will take you back to a time long past but also be something that is happening now as well in your family. That is what the Holiday which falls on October 25th does for me. The holiday is National Bandanna Day #BandannaDay.
I remember the first time I heard Bruce Springsteen’s music and seeing him in those tight jeans he wore with a bandana tied around his leg. Then came the Karate Kid and he had a bandana. As well as my dad who would use bandana to wipe his hands on after working outside.
Fast forward and when I was in High School I had bandanas I turned into headbands. Fast forward to Charlie and he has a collection of #bandanas he wears over his hair because Charlie says they protect his hair.
Before you ask me if that is true or not I don’t know. But we have to be true to ourselves and that is what Charlie doing when he wears things like this. Even though it drives his Granny batty at times. Do you use bandanas if so for what and why?
Bandana Day is observed on the last Friday in October, falling on October 25 this year, to celebrate people suffering from Cancer by raising awareness and support for all those who wear the accessory. Why bandanas? Chemotherapy and powerful anti-Cancer drugs cause serious hair loss, and many patients turn to alternative means of covering their heads, commonly including bandanas.
Did you know people believe the word ‘bandana’ comes from the Hindi word ‘Badhnati’ or ‘Badnahati,’ which means ‘to tie.’ Bandanas history begins in South Asia and the Middle East, in the late 17th Century. With an increase in trade with the Far East by the 18th Century, the bandana came to the West and took off.
Here is a fun fact for you. The Dutch East India Company imported Cashmere Bandanas, which were a huge hit with the women. More demand raised the prices until only the upper classes could afford bandanas. Personally I don’t think I would want a Cashmere Bandana. Would you?
Soon, England and Scotland got into the business, producing their own shawl-like bandanas. When they reached Portugal, they were renamed ‘Bandanoe,’ before finally coming to be known as ‘Bandana.’ The patterns also changed over the years with each culture and Country the bandana was introduced into.
As for America, they became enamored with the bandana because of George Washington’s wife, Martha. At an accidental meeting with revolutionary printmaker, John Hewson, Martha showed him drawings of militia flags and cannons, hoping he could print them.
The next year, the Washingtons received an unexpected parcel from Hewson. In it was a picture of General Washington on horseback, printed on fabric. Thus, the bandana came to American Colonies. Since then, the bandana has been used for political causes, and later, a multitude of Social and personal causes, including as a visual symbol for many Cancer patients undergoing Chemotherapy.
‘Hair adverse events,’ as medical professionals call it, are a very common side-effect of Cancer treatments and can also affect the quality of life. Patients young and old have shown psychological and psychosocial reactions when faced with hair loss.
Surveys on Cancer patients ranked hair loss as the most traumatic effect of Chemotherapy, and about 8% of the patients said they would avoid Chemo completely if they could, on account of the hair loss alone. Children also tend to suffer social isolation as a result of hair loss. Out of this reality, a light shines. Bandanas have come to their rescue, providing protection to the scalp and brightening their look (and day) just a little.
The history and origin of Bandana Day are still unclear, although it is thought to be the brainchild of an Australian welfare fundraising organization called CanTeen. They organize a yearly Bandana Day to raise awareness and encourage support for young people living with Cancer.
How To Observe Bandana Day
- Show your support in the most visual way possible. Grab a colorful bandana or two and adorn your tresses in various styles.
- Search for organizations that sell bandanas to support Cancer patients, and patronize their stores. If you’ve already got a bandana and are creatively inclined, repurpose the bandana for National Bandana Day by adding symbols that represent strength and solidarity.
- If you have the means today send a box of bandanas to people in your family and friendship circles. You can source these bandanas from the organizations that support Cancer patients.
- If you want to do more to support Cancer patients, consider donating money to organizations working towards Cancer research and care. You could also volunteer your time and services to these places.
Important Facts About Bandanas
- Bandanas were called ‘little banners’ in the early days, and bandanas were used for everything from advertising and marketing, to making political statements and being versatile items of clothing.
- The original styles came from AsiaT and the first bandana colors and patterns were created by resist dye techniques found in Turkey and India.
- In 2017, The Business of Fashion encouraged the fashion industry to wear a white bandana to celebrate the common bonds of humanity regardless of race, sexuality, gender, or religion; this campaign was a resounding success.
- CanTeen’s website claims their Bandana Day celebrations have raised more than $33 million so far.
- Many Cancer and Chemotherapy Infusion Centers, and various other organizations, offer free headcovers that include everything from scarves, bandanas, and Wigs to people with Cancer.
Why Bandana Day is Important
- Bandanas have a simple design for a functional purpose. Th bandana clothing accessory has had a life-changing impact on various cultures and subcultures across the globe.
- Wearing a bandana shows our support for all those brave hearts fighting Cancer. It is a heart-warming visual symbol.
- The different bandana colors and styles enhance the wearer’s style and bandanas make a pretty cool statement, and add some spice to the world of Cancer patients too.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
