Re: Black henna is low class?!

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Posted by Kree Arvanitas on January 09, 2000 at 21:21:10:

In Reply to: Black henna is low class?! posted by Kenzi on January 08, 2000 at 03:59:19:

Yes, racism is not unique to any one place - there are many places where "lighter" is considered "better" and its a sad comment on the human race. My recent experience in morocco tends to back up the perception of prejudice on the part of some people. However, there is also an AWARENESS on the part of many henna artists I spoke with in Morocco that the "black" henna with its additional harsh ingredients is not beneficial because of health, not racism. One henna artist (with very dark skin) explained to me her amazement that someone could take a natural, nutritious plant like henna and ruin it's healthful properties by the addition of harmful ingredients. She did feel that the use of black henna was a "low class" thing, but again, because of the ignorance of the harmful ingredients, not because of race.

Fortunately I also met many people in Morocco who were decidedly anti-racist and i have to say that overall, Morocco is far less racist than some places I have lived (ie Arizona!)
The perception that henna is for ignorant country people seems to have been more prevalent perhaps a few years ago. People today are aware of the renaissance of interest in henna in the western world, too, and it has renewed a lot of pride in our beautiful art. And I witnessed first hand a vital interest in henna in both "upper" and "lower" classes.

: Just ran across the following in one of the back alleys of this site,
: in a discussion of the history of henna:

: "In this day and age, women of all socio-economic status get henna
: designs of latice and flowers for weddings. The bride and bride's
: mother getting the most intricate work. Black henna is avoided
: because that would indicate you have dark skin, and in Morocco mid-
: colored skin is considered the most beautiful (not to dark lest you
: be a worker, not to light least you be european). It is true that
: some moroccons do not get the work done because they want to appear
: more "modern" but this is a rare case. "

: Seems avoidance of black henna has traditions elsewhere...and also
: has a racist tinge!

: From my travels in Morocco I can attest to this attitude. Most women
: seemed to prefer the red-brown color. The only place I saw really
: really dark (almost black) henna was in the Sahara, where the women
: have darker skin for the most part. And there is definitely the
: attitude among many Moroccans that darker skin is less beautiful.

Gilded Lilies Henna Body Art

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Re: Black henna is low class?! Kenzi 05:22:45 1/10/00 (0)

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: Yes, racism is not unique to any one place - there are many places where "lighter" is considered "better" and its a sad comment on the human race. My recent experience in morocco tends to back up the perception of prejudice on the part of some people. However, there is also an AWARENESS on the part of many henna artists I spoke with in Morocco that the "black" henna with its additional harsh ingredients is not beneficial because of health, not racism. One henna artist (with very dark skin) explained to me her amazement that someone could take a natural, nutritious plant like henna and ruin it's healthful properties by the addition of harmful ingredients. She did feel that the use of black henna was a "low class" thing, but again, because of the ignorance of the harmful ingredients, not because of race. : Fortunately I also met many people in Morocco who were decidedly anti-racist and i have to say that overall, Morocco is far less racist than some places I have lived (ie Arizona!) : The perception that henna is for ignorant country people seems to have been more prevalent perhaps a few years ago. People today are aware of the renaissance of interest in henna in the western world, too, and it has renewed a lot of pride in our beautiful art. And I witnessed first hand a vital interest in henna in both "upper" and "lower" classes. : : Just ran across the following in one of the back alleys of this site, : : in a discussion of the history of henna: : : "In this day and age, women of all socio-economic status get henna : : designs of latice and flowers for weddings. The bride and bride's : : mother getting the most intricate work. Black henna is avoided : : because that would indicate you have dark skin, and in Morocco mid- : : colored skin is considered the most beautiful (not to dark lest you : : be a worker, not to light least you be european). It is true that : : some moroccons do not get the work done because they want to appear : : more "modern" but this is a rare case. " : : Seems avoidance of black henna has traditions elsewhere...and also : : has a racist tinge! : : From my travels in Morocco I can attest to this attitude. Most women : : seemed to prefer the red-brown color. The only place I saw really : : really dark (almost black) henna was in the Sahara, where the women : : have darker skin for the most part. And there is definitely the : : attitude among many Moroccans that darker skin is less beautiful.

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