 |
 |
 |
| Henna A beautiful Sudanese tradition |
| What is Henna made of? Henna is a paste that is made from the leaves of the Henna bush. The leaves are picked and made into a powder. Then water is added to the powder until it gets pasty. |
How do they use it? The paste is put into a cone that can be made of a sturdy plastic bag, and then it is used like a pen to draw beautiful drawings on the hands or feet. It is left to dry, then washed off. It's as easy as that! If you are careful, your henna can last for over a month before fading away! |
| Men use it, too ! You think henna is only for women? Men have it put on their hands and feet for their weddings! In the groom's "Henna party" right before the wedding, his mother, sisters, and aunts get together, sit him on a decorated bed, and put henna on his feet and the palms of his hands (not drawing). Meanwhile, all his female relatives are singing and dancing, and his brothers and guy friends all get one hand "hennaed"! |
 |
Henna has been used for over 5000 years in many countries around the world to decorate women's hands and feet, and especially married women and brides. Some make it light orange, some make it red, but Sudanese like to make it BLACK and shiny ! |
Wanna see more henna decorations like this? Click on the Henna feet! |
 |