FEATURE
HENNA: A GLOBAL SENSATION
First used in the east for medicine and as a dye, the herb is now helping people all over the world express their cultural identity through body art. Sleuth’ s Tanjima Elham Khandaker delves into the factors behind henna’ s surging popularity.
The use of henna, which began thousands of years ago in the East and the Middle East, is now known almost all over the world. Henna art is part of the festivity where brides and other women apply henna on their palms and feet to decorate themselves with gorgeous designs. Beautiful and intricate patterns, bright and festive colour, and a unique scent – these are the characteristics that have turned the use of a simple herb into a global sensation.
The origins of the tradition
‘ Henna’( called‘ mehndi’ in Bangla, Hindi, and Urdu) mainly refers to the leaves of a plant that has the same name. The paste used is made from its fresh or dried leaves.
Henna art has been practiced in Asian countries like Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, in the Middle East, and in many African countries for over 5,000 years. The use of henna paste began for its cooling properties in the countries with hot and / or dry climates. People used to soak their hands, feet, and other exposed body parts in the henna paste to get protection from the extreme heat.
The leaves also have antibacterial properties which came to use later. Henna was and still is used for skin problems such as ringworms, athlete’ s foot, dandruff, and dryness. However, when people noticed that the paste also left a temporary dark orange stain, they began to use henna for dying clothes and skin.
In The Seasonal Pattern in the Ugaritic Myth of Ba’ lu, According to the Version of Ilimilku, author Johannes Cornelis de Moor notes that henna has been used for decorating the body and dyeing hair since the Early Bronze Age. It appears at various points, such as court documents in India going back to roughly 400 CE, during the Roman Empire, in Spain during the Convivencia, in medical literature on Ebers Papyrus, and in Syria and Egypt in the 14th century CE.
However, research and historical documents suggest that the use of henna began in ancient Egypt nearly 9,000 years ago, around 3400 BCE. Residue of henna was discovered in Royal Egyptian tombs and mummies’ nails were painted with henna dye before burying them as part of their adornment. Even the famous Egyptian Queen Cleopatra is said to have used henna stain to decorate herself.
Why has henna become so popular?
The use of henna leaves in the forms of remedies and art is different and distinct in South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, with each region having its different needs, traditions, and designs. But henna art was mainly popularised in the West by South Asians with their creative use of this art form in wedding ceremonies and religious festivals. Now, almost everyone in the Western world, including the
United Kingdom, knows what henna art is. And the fact that the dye is temporary and changeable after a short period of time attracts many people to get henna tattoos on different parts of their body. Even Hollywood celebrities like Madonna, Drew Barrymore, Naomi Campbell, Justine Bateman and so on have been seen to be adorned with this art.
Henna merges the South with the West
Cultures that have henna embedded in their roots cannot imagine their festivals and festivities without henna art. However, the rest of the world is also embracing this art form more with time and integrating this into their societies as well.
This integration is widely seen in Western countries during Asian and South Asian festivities, namely wedding ceremonies and on the festival of Eid.
The art of henna is not specific to any religion though. It is something that anyone, regardless of their race, religion, or ethnicity can take part in.
“ The designs are so unique and beautiful! Nothing can stop me from getting these amazing tattoos done. They even wash off after some time. So, no regrets like after getting anything wrong with a permanent tattoo,” says Daniella Parker, a lover of henna art. She shared her enthusiasm for henna tattoos while attending a recent pop-up henna design festival in Upton Park on the
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