- Henna Designs called Mehndi
Women all over India and the Middle East decorate their hands with henna designs. The designs can give the effect of wearing lacy black gloves. Rather sensual. In some countries, such as Morocco, the bridegroom has his hands and feet hennaed before the ceremony. No designs are used though. Henna is thought to bring good luck or good health.
When women get together, they often give each other a ‘salon treatment”, threading eyebrows, painting henna designs on hands and feet, outlining eyes with kohl. And as often as not, they will dance for each other. If they have no recorded music, they will make their own music by striking a dishpan or a gourd. They serve tea and cookies or nuts. They gossip. They laugh and cry. It’s therapeutic.