Eid synonymous with Henna

The time has come. From the excited giggles of a four year old to the determined look a 24 year old has, as a designer creates an alluring henna design on their palms and feet, applying henna is what makes Eid so much more festive. Around the island, a large number of women and girls are having their preparations for the three days of celebration, circled around what kind of henna designs will they don. It is a beloved tradition that has been passed on for generations and doesn’t seem it would die out anytime soon.

We were able to converse with a notable professional henna designer ‘Rabiya Amjad’, on how henna has become synonymous to Eid and the trend’s ability to gain popularity across different regions.

DT News-How did you venture into becoming a henna designer? Did it take a lot of practice to master the skills?

Rabiya- It started off at school when I used to doodle random designs on my books which later developed into a hobby and then I started practicing putting henna among my family and friends who then persuaded me into doing it professionally.

DT News-What is it about henna that you feel attracts women? Especially on special and festive occasions?

Rabiya- Firstly it’s the color and designs, secondly it represents happiness. Every woman loves to dress up, especially on occasions like weddings, Eid, national day as it completes them. Also a bride without henna seems incomplete.

DT News-Are your clients from different backgrounds? Is the trend as popular among western clients as it is for Eastern or Asian women?

Rabiya- Earlier when I started, it was always the Eastern or Asian women. With time it grew and reached the westerns and they absolutely love it. Since I started chasing my passion I have met lots of clients from all over the world like Germany, Italy, British, Americans and Russians.

DT News-We have seen celebrities even from Hollywood donning Henna? How do you think this art began to gain so much attention and interest?

Rabiya-Well body art is very famous in the west, like tattoos, but what I have learned from my valuable clients is that they prefer henna over tattoos because they are not permanent, every few days you can have a new design, so to my understanding i believe its the same for the celebrities.

DT News- What about men? Do they also prefer to apply it on special occasions- are there some special designs you work on them?

Rabiya-Well I do get inquiries and offers from western men who are really interested in applying henna, because of the stain, but there are also men who can’t stand the way it smells. However as of yet, I’m not attending male clients.

DT News-Around how many types of henna are there and what colors do they bring out?

Rabiya- There is only one type of pure or real henna which brings out a reddish maroon stain. The black henna can be harmful as it contains different kinds of chemicals and may cause allergies or serious skin issues, I personally do not recommend the black henna.