(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Joelyn Baluyut |
The Peninsula
There is a particular sensation that henna tattoo brings to our body. Each stroke and pattern imprinted is an art that soothes our skin. And an art that bridges cultures, whichever part of the world you come from.
Henna tattooing dates back to ancient Egypt, some 9,000 years ago. Its last reigning queen, Cleopatra is said to have used henna to adorn her body and even beautify herself. Egyptians also used henna to paint nails of the mummies before they were buried.
Here in Qatar, there is one name that is known amongst the Henna Community.
Amal Fermis, an Indian expatriate from Kerala, has been doing this form of art for over three decades. She has won several competitions on this art and even did several henna tattooing to personalities.
“I am not actually a born artist, and I always try hard to develop it. This is my first form of art, I have never tried to draw on paper. Unlike drawing, it needs control especially when you are doing thinner or thicker lines,” she explained.
Amal started doing this art as a hobby when she was only 14 years old.“I was a student and my friends were always encouraging me to do it on their hands, and also our college has social services, so I make henna for friends and students, it's like a charity.”
A hobby that turned out to be a profession. Being a henna artist for 11 years in Qatar brought her closer to the community.“I first started in Lulu Doha Salon when they called me during Eid, and I also participated in henna competitions and won, but my biggest break was when Banana Island called me and offered me to practise this profession. It has been six years already.”
There's an explosion of demand for her service since she started working in Banana Island. She has built her name amongst the Arab community. Henna tattooing brought her to many places.“I get to interact with people, go to their houses. It's a unique experience,” she said.
Amal also shared a little secret of henna tattoo:“It purifies your blood, it has medicinal values.” This holds true when using organic henna.
She also said about the ingredients to make an organic one: Henna powder, essential oil, sugar, and lemon juice. A henna is a dye from Lawsonia intermis or henna tree.
Studies show that it acts as a cooling agent during summer, treats various types of skin problems like athletes foot and ringworm. According to a journal published by National Center for Biotechnology Information, the paste from the henna leaf is used to cure impetigo.
“In a study, clinical improvement in patients suffering from hand and foot disease due to capecitabine, an anti-cancer drug, with the use of henna revealed anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effects of henna,” it added.
Amal's daughter Afeeda Firdous, also a henna tattoo artist and a painter, is a testament to the healing power of it.“I always like it, even when I was a child. And before I got married, I do it every week, there are no times that my hands are henna-free.”
Afeeda followed her mother's footsteps, who blossomed to be an artist. Her mother said:“She is a natural born artist.”
That is why henna is being done during weddings, among other events.
“Henna soothes, that's why the bride makes the henna because they make it calm. One thing about henna as well, unlike the tattoo that requires needles or sharp objects to perform, this won't hurt you,” Amal explained.
Traditionally, henna tattoo is used for celebrations and rites. Each culture and region hold a meaning on it which symbolises beauty, joy, luck, and happiness, among others.
A book published in 2011 entitled Henna Magic Crafting Charms & Rituals with Sacred Body said:“Henna's medicinal uses in ancient Egypt ranged from treating fungal infections and inflammation to an astringent to stop diarrhoea and as a cure for snake bites and scorpion stings.”
It added:“It was also used as a cooling remedy, often applied to the palms of the hands or soles of the feet, or as a form of deodorant by placing the leaves under the arms.”
Amal narrated that there are different patterns to choose from Indian, Moroccan, Arabian, Khaleeji to Sudanese.
Compared to the aforementioned places, the Arabian pattern separates from the rest, its designs are bigger. The designs are usually of floral, leaf, mandala, and geometric.
“Getting a henna tattoo can take from two minutes to one hour, based on how intricate the design is. It stays from one to two weeks, and the colour reacts depending on your body temperature. If your body is always warm, the colour will be darker, but if it's otherwise, it stays the same,” she said.
Afeeda said:“My hands are very warm so the henna gets darker overtime. And one tip, if you want it to be darker, you should dry steam it for it to stay longer.”
Henna tattooing for Amal and Afeeda introduced them to different communities, hundreds of customers from diverse nationalities had their art imprinted.
Amal narrated:“It's a proud moment for me. Henna tattooing to a royal or a celebrity is beyond our limit, we didn't even think about these things, more it will happen to us.”
Henna's sacred art is a beauty beyond the test of time. More than a bodily decoration, it's a testament of bridging the gap from culture to culture, from east to west, and from the past to present. Amal and Afeeda are evidences that this art will continue on.
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