Re: Arabic traditions

[ Follow-ups ] [ Post Follow-up ] [ The Henna Page Discussion Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Kree Arvanitas on January 30, 2000 at 03:50:10:

In Reply to: Arabic traditions posted by Rosie on January 29, 2000 at 19:04:29:

Arabic covers a lot of territory, Rosie! Arab as in Saudi, Yemini, Palestinian or Arab as in Moroccan, Tunisian... Everywhere you go traditions vary a bit, so my advice is to ask her what she knows and design it around her info. Whatever you do, I'm sure she'll be very happy-- I wouldn't worry about insulting her. Incidently, peacocks & hidden initials are from India, not Arabic countries. If she's from North Africa, she'll recognize the floral designs from those countries to be more bold, heavier and generally less intricate than the florals from India. But that's not always true! If you're interested in Morocco you might take a look at my website and follow the link to "Trail of the Henna Djinn" which is an account of my trip to Morocco last year with a couple of graphics. In Morocco the styles are recognized according to the region, or city they come from. Marrakech is more floral with influences from Saudia Arabia and Kuwait - they call it "khalidji" style. The "geometric" style could be either the intricate "Fesi" style or the simpler Mauritanian style.
One interesting thing I noted in Morocco is that the henna traditions are changing. Thanks to the world wide interest in it, younger people that would not have been interested in it 10 or 15 years ago now think it is cool, and it is a nice little bond between the older & younger women. Also - my Moroccan friends (who haven't been back to Morocco for awhile) were very surprised to hear that young men were getting henna from the street vendors - something that would never have happend 10 or 12 years ago. They are very proud that this Arabic custom has received such worldwide attention.
It doesn't sound like you have a whole lot of time to plan for this, but write to me if you like and i'll xerox some of the designs I collected in Morocco and mail them to you. I haven't scanned more than one or two of them, but they are all labeld with the correct style.
: Okay, so I've been kinda waiting for it to happen...
: I have a floor program to do on campus for a girl who is Arabic. She
: would like a ten minute presentation before the henna starts flowing.
: I know little bits of traditions (peacocks, hidden groom initials,
: etc) but I lump that in my "general nifty Knowledge about henna"
: section of my brain. I would like to be able to share more traditions
: that are specifically Arabic and also not insult her somehow.
: Suggestions?

: Thanks,
: Rosie

GILDED LILIES HENNA ARTS

Follow-ups:

Love the photos at your site Kenzi 01:04:20 2/01/00 (0)

Post a Follow-up

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: Arabic covers a lot of territory, Rosie! Arab as in Saudi, Yemini, Palestinian or Arab as in Moroccan, Tunisian... Everywhere you go traditions vary a bit, so my advice is to ask her what she knows and design it around her info. Whatever you do, I'm sure she'll be very happy-- I wouldn't worry about insulting her. Incidently, peacocks & hidden initials are from India, not Arabic countries. If she's from North Africa, she'll recognize the floral designs from those countries to be more bold, heavier and generally less intricate than the florals from India. But that's not always true! If you're interested in Morocco you might take a look at my website and follow the link to "Trail of the Henna Djinn" which is an account of my trip to Morocco last year with a couple of graphics. In Morocco the styles are recognized according to the region, or city they come from. Marrakech is more floral with influences from Saudia Arabia and Kuwait - they call it "khalidji" style. The "geometric" style could be either the intricate "Fesi" style or the simpler Mauritanian style. : One interesting thing I noted in Morocco is that the henna traditions are changing. Thanks to the world wide interest in it, younger people that would not have been interested in it 10 or 15 years ago now think it is cool, and it is a nice little bond between the older & younger women. Also - my Moroccan friends (who haven't been back to Morocco for awhile) were very surprised to hear that young men were getting henna from the street vendors - something that would never have happend 10 or 12 years ago. They are very proud that this Arabic custom has received such worldwide attention. : It doesn't sound like you have a whole lot of time to plan for this, but write to me if you like and i'll xerox some of the designs I collected in Morocco and mail them to you. I haven't scanned more than one or two of them, but they are all labeld with the correct style. : : Okay, so I've been kinda waiting for it to happen... : : I have a floor program to do on campus for a girl who is Arabic. She : : would like a ten minute presentation before the henna starts flowing. : : I know little bits of traditions (peacocks, hidden groom initials, : : etc) but I lump that in my "general nifty Knowledge about henna" : : section of my brain. I would like to be able to share more traditions : : that are specifically Arabic and also not insult her somehow. : : Suggestions? : : Thanks, : : Rosie

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow-ups ] [ Post Follow-up ] [ The Henna Page Discussion Forum ] [ FAQ ]