A type of coarse jute or hemp rope or cord, particularly used in Asia for binding and securing cargo.
From Portuguese bandala or Spanish bandala, derived from Indian/Southeast Asian textile trade terms. The word entered European languages through maritime commerce in the 16th-17th centuries.
Portuguese sailors used bandala rope because it was incredibly strong, relatively cheap, and resistant to salt water — these practical advantages made it the standard for ship rigging across the Indian Ocean trade!
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