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However , research and historical documents suggest that the use of henna began in ancient Egypt nearly 9,000 years ago , around 3400 BCE .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
16 SLEUTH ISSUE 5