100% cotton bandana. 20"x20"
Center of bandana: Al Shahada is the statement of Islamic faith in Arabic
Corners of bandana: Ayat ul Kursi "The Throne verse" from the Quran
Border of bandana: "Those who believe in the unseen" in Arabic
All bandanas pre-washed. Sizes may vary due to material.
Wash in cold water. Tumble Dry.
The story of this piece...
This bandana is an attempt to tell the stories that are often left out of history. The notable difference of these bandanas from the popularized bandanas in the United States is the verses of the Quran in the center and corners. West Africans who were enslaved and forcefully transported to the United States were the first Muslims in this country. This is an offering to help fill the gaps in American history through textiles. A chance to include unseen stories in the fabric of America.
The bandana has roots in South Asian and the Middle East. It's believed to come from the sanskrit word "badhnati" which means "to bind" or "to tie". The paisley on bandanas doesn't actually come from Paisley, Scotland but rather the region of Kashmir (once a part of the Persian empire). The popularization and rebrand happened in the United States during the American Revolution and has been an iconic symbol ever since. They have been used as a symbol for gangs, workers' rights, political campaigns, and even implemented as communication amongst the gay community.