Henna: rituals, aesthetic and social practices
Practised In
Overview
Henna is a deciduous tree that grows in hot regions. Perceived as sacred by communities in Northern Africa and the Middle East, its leaves are harvested twice a year, left to dry, then ground and processed to create a paste. The specific ingredients and techniques used to prepare the paste vary according to the intended use and country. Henna paste is commonly used by women for adornment, such as to dye hair and fingertips or to decorate hands and feet. A symbol of joy, it is used in everyday life and on festive occasions such as births and weddings. Henna branches, leaves and paste are also used in crafts and for medicinal purposes, including the treatment of certain skin diseases. Its use is frequently accompanied by oral expressions such as chants, songs, proverbs and poems, and is linked to centuries-old societal rules and traditions. This includes knowledge related to the cultivation and care of the henna tree and the preparation and application of the paste. Families and communities transmit the traditions through observation and hands-on practice. Today, organizations, beauty centres, universities and the media also contribute to their transmission. A key component of traditional events, henna rituals enhance social bonds and promote communication.
About Henna: rituals
A ritual is a repeated, structured sequence of actions or behaviors that alters the internal or external state of an individual, group, or environment, regardless of conscious understanding, emotional context, or symbolic meaning. Traditionally associated with gestures, words, or revered objects, rituals also occur in non-human species, such as elephant mourning or corvid object-leaving. They may be prescribed by tradition, including religious practices, and are often characterized by formalism, traditionalism, rule-governance, and performance.
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- Countries
- United Arab EmiratesAlgeriaBahrainEgyptIraqJordanKuwaitMauritaniaMoroccoOmanPalestineQatarSaudi ArabiaSudanTunisiaYemen
- Inscribed
- 2024
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- Representative List
- Reference
- 2116