Decorate your body
MAKE A FASHION STATEMENT: IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PERMANENT Getting inked for a couple of weeks is about identity.
Getting inked is permanent ... well, mostly so, and the cost of removing it, not so cheap. Body decoration, whether tattoos, piercings or hairdos, has been around for millennia and while we all have our reasons for doing it, one thing is sure: more people are doing it.
It is about personal identity, finding your metaphorical tribe and feeling confident as you express your authentic self.
And if the body is a canvas, the ancient art of henna is the answer to shape-shifting creativity.
Henna is temporary, and that is the beauty of it. It can be changed, moulded to suit an occasion or simply wardrobe a new look every couple of weeks.
Almost like self-tan, it only colours the outer layer of the skin.
Henna is a dye made from the leaves and twigs of the Lawsonia enermis plant. It grows up to about 1.5 metres in height and is found in hot climates across east Africa, the Middle East and as far afield as Afghanistan.
The plant is ground into a fine powder and mixed with water to create henna.
While the origins of the practice of using henna for body decoration remains a mystery, geography suggests it was spread by traders and became culturally embedded in a very diverse mix of groups.
Henna art is common in today’s Tanzania, India, the Arab world and Iran.
There’s even evidence that henna was used to ornament the hands of Neolithic people 9 000 years ago during fertility rituals.
While henna is primarily used for body art, its passage through time and culture also saw it labelled as medicinal and spiritual by some traditions.
Today, the application of henna remains a celebratory element to many Middle Eastern and East African traditions.
Weddings, pregnancies, naming ceremonies. You name it, and it can be hennaed. In Tanzania, there are “nights of henna” pre-wedding parties.
Around the world, people use it for cosmetic purposes.
Henna designs can take any shape, but traditional Arabic styles feature large floral or vine patterns on hands and feet. In India, fine thin lines of floral, paisley and lace-like designs are preferred, while in Africa the shapes and patterns are bold, large geometric shapes paired with abstract symbols.
Today, henna is a popular beach body and bikini accessory and a great alternative for tattoos.
It can be a challenge to remove quickly, but, the opportunity of changing design often can be irresistible.
It is a holiday adventure, and it can be very sensual, too.
There are several talented henna artists in South Africa.