Henna |
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Henna is an organic paste used to decorate skin and hair, and is popular in many Arab countries and in India. There are several types of designs, such as rawayab were the tips of the fingers are coloured and then the line is drawn to the middle of the palm; or al gessa where the whole fingers are painted. Still, floral patterns are the most popular. Henna is applied particularly during special social celebrations such as weddings or engagements and during religious holidays.
In the past, women gathered in a house for a Night of Henna (Lailet Al Hinna) and spent their time on decorating their skin, singing and praying. They had used henna that had been prepared beforehand by the women from the leaves of the Lawsonia plant. The leaves were dried, mashed into a powder and then mixed into a soft paste with lemon or tea. Usually, a professional henna artist called henaya created unique and special motifs. Nowadays, henna can be bought in ready-to-use tubes, and it is often applied at the beauty salons, which can be a rather costly event.
Henna is used to enhance the beauty of women, but it is also considered as a protector against evil and it has a cooling properties. In the past it was also used by pearl divers and fishermen to protect their skin for the sun.
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