As Ramadan draws to a close, preparations for Eid celebrations begin, including decorating the skin with intricate henna designs.
Eid henna is so popular, in fact, that women line up to decorate their palms and backs of hands with this plant-based dye at henna salons in busy local centers such as Southall in London and Longsight in Manchester. It's not uncommon to see people making . .
“Henna ceremonies are an opportunity for women to come together, share stories, support each other, and commemorate significant life events,” said Celebrity Henna, who recently performed with singer SZA at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. says artist Neha Assar.
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“These gatherings provide a platform for intergenerational bonding, exchanging advice and preserving cultural heritage,” she says. “Beyond mere beautification, the application of henna promotes emotional and social connections between women, celebrating femininity and interconnectedness.
“In many cultures, henna ceremonies represent important rites of passage for girls as they begin their journey into womanhood, including puberty, engagement, and marriage,” she continues. “Events like this create a nurturing environment where women can freely share their experiences, offer guidance and pass on their wisdom to the next generation.”
Henna, which is made by crushing the leaves of the henna tree and mixing them with water and essential oils to form a paste, dates back to ancient Egyptian times. However, over time, this tradition became deeply rooted in the cultures of South Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Today, henna has undergone a modern change, becoming more diverse and experimental, especially due to the influence of social media. We recently saw henna being used backstage at London Fashion Week as a form of self-expression by South Asian fashion brand Kazna.
Designs have also become more modern, featuring animals, poetry, mandalas, and even portraits to appeal to a wider audience. Neha takes her art form not only to her skin but also to her fashion accessories.
