Henna

I'm just going to tell you right now; if you think Henna is a 'fake tattoo' - read no further. AND if you are tattoo sensitive, I'm warning you right now, there is no hidden meaning or judgmental intent behind this post. It's just that I am finding that people, especially Western men, think that henna is pretend tattooing. And I am saying, could someone give me a break?

Yes. It's true. I finally got my henna or mehendi, lesson. Henna in Arabic, mehendi in Hindi. Who knew? I think it may be one of the most fun things I've done so far while living here. If you'll remember, I met an Indian mother and daughter doing henna at a woman's market a few months ago. I asked if they would teach me, and I finally took them up on their generosity. And it was SO fun.

Practicing on Roo's friend Ani. Good thing little girls love to get henna, because they are going to get a lot while I practice on them.

Jabeen and Shaista welcomed me into their home here on camp. They have lived here more than 25 years and speak great English. (the daughter sounds like an American) Jabeen had me draw my hand on paper, look through several examples of designs, then draw some of the things I liked. They had me practice with the henna on paper, then on my own hand. I was smitten at first stroke. Hypnotized. I could spend hours and hours at this. Just letting the shapes come, and seeing the henna with the form of the hands and feet come together. I was in a trance. I finally had to say, "Enough! I'm leaving. I love this. I could do it all night." Well, and I did. I called my friend and daughter over for a girl party, and hennaed all of us right then!

What an amazing art form. I didn't know that it's not just Indian, but is deep rooted all over the middle east. Different countries have different designs and preferences, from bold and simple, to delicate and detailed. Some people just paint it on with no design, others spends hours and hours before a wedding. Here are some things I learned - Henna is a plant, the leaves are dried, ground up, then mixed with water and made into a paste. Traditionally the henna was applied with small sticks. (can't even imagine) It's now applied with small cone shape bags, something like a cake decorating bag. (I know. When I saw this, I knew it was an art for me!)

Mehendi has been around for as long as people can remember. It is worn for weddings, eids, and celebration. Traditionally women wear it, and often men apply it. Today there are henna parlors all over India. For a wedding, the bride and her bridal party will go to the salons to have the henna applied, or the appliers with come to her house. Something like a mani and pedi trip for us Westerners. The bride will get the most talented person to work on her, she goes first, and it will take the longest to apply hers. Generally guests that are very close to the bride, mother or sister, will also be very decorated. But the further removed, the less effort one might take with the henna.

Why do I like it so much? I like it because there aren't too many things about living here to celebrate. Women are hidden away. And this is a beautiful way to connect to a culture, to their history, and to women of the middle east. There really is no such thing as 'art' here. I think it's kind of viewed as pagan. Pictures or sculptures of people or animals are forbidden. So this is a wonderful way for me to learn one of the few art forms allowed and practiced here.

Ani's ankle done...

I hear Western men say that henna is just pretending to get tattooed. If you don't know this about me, I'm not a big tattoo fan. I can see the art in it, but permanently altering my skin is not for me. Not to say that people aren't entitled to their own opinions or choices, it's just not for me. And, in my religion, my religious leaders have asked us not to get tattoos - and I respect that. That said, I don't see henna as a 'pretend tattoo.' Just as I don't see lipstick, eye liner, or nail polish as a 'pretend tattoo.'

It's a traditional way to celebrate. Like wearing a fancy dress to a party. Weddings here can last a long time, many days. Henna applications has been a part of this for hundreds of years, if not more. The ladies couldn't even try to tell me how long it's been going on. "Generations and generations" were all they could say. And the best part is, after the celebrations have ended, so does the henna. With five to seven days, it will gone. Washed and worn away.

Ooops. Little one's have to be reeeally patient. It takes 15 to 30 minutes to dry before you wash and flake off the henna. I wiped off this little mess and touched up. Turned out just fine. Roo touched her shoulder on accident, so she has a small detail there as well today. Roo had long sleeves on, so I took her shirt off so she wouldn't get as messy. Hmmm? Didn't work.

I think that men can't understand it, because they don't wear make up. They don't polish their nails, or color their hair. They can only relate it to tattoos that they see on people. You're probably asking, why the heck does she care? I care because I hate thinking that someone narrow minded is closing the door on an ancient art form. That they can't disconnect a trend in the west, with a tradition in the east. A tradition that is feminine and lovely. Twenty years ago, in the U.S., the majority of people that were tattooed were sailors, inmates and pirates. Now days, I know more people with tattoos than not. In fact, while my friends were getting them to 'have their own identity' - now I kind of feel more unique that I don't have one.

I know that many of my friends and readers have tattoos, so you should know that I really do think it's a personal choice. One that I don't think a person shouldn't be judged on. Some of you may LOVE your tattoos. Some may lament the day you made that choice. Sometimes we are different people when we do things, and sometimes these choices make us who we are. In any case, I love you no matter what. It makes no difference to me.

But my choice has been not to get one. I won't even let my kids wear the wash off kind. I am very conservative and while discussing henna with Peter he said, "Do you let the kids smoke pretend cigarettes?" And you see? This is where I am getting so bothered. That's a PRETEND CIGARETTE. This is NOT a pretend tattoo. This is non permanent, natural, externally applied, paint. My dad said, "Avoid the very appearance of evil, Teresa. What if Ruby was a teenager and came home with henna on her arm. What would you say?" I replied, "I'd say 'sweet'! Because I just hennaed her whole are tonight. It's like painting your nails dad. I comes off!"

So there you go. Henna 101, and a lot of fuming opinion from me. Feel free to share yours with me. Be nice, though. In the end, both my dad and husband came to see things as I do - at least a little. Funny thing is, I'm already bored with the one on the back of my hand. Luckily, it will be gone in a couple of days. Anyone getting married soon? I'm all for a henna party!