Dictionary

Bandana (Hindi: बंधन bandhana – “to bond”) —a large kerchief of silk or cotton, originating from India. Traditionally, bandanas were made from multi-colored fabric with patterns. Bandanas can be worn on the forehead, around the neck, around the wrist, or even simply to be tucked into jeans.

Initially, bandanas had a very practical purpose — they were used by Spanish vaqueros, and later by American cowboys to protect against dust. If wearing it around the neck, they could quickly put on the bandana over the face, thus covering the nose and mouth from clouds of dust raised by cattle during the ride.