Mourning & Henna
Posted by Kree Arvanitas / Gilded Lilies on February 25, 2000 at 20:53:30:
In Reply to: mourning patterns? :-( posted by Anne on February 23, 2000 at 23:33:03:
: Hej,
: I just learned that one of my favorite singers, Ofra Haza, died
: earlier this day. Her most recent work in America included the
: singing voice of Moses' mother in "The Prince of Egypt."
: Catherine, do you or anyone else have any mouring patterns? I feel
: very sad.
: Anne, who sometimes plays Ofra Haza at henna workshops
Anne - I am just devestated -- Ofra has been one of mine and my
daughter's favorite singers for along time. She lifted my daughter
up on stage and kissed her in front of hundreds of people at a
festival in Seattle - Emma saw stars for days afterwards!
Re mourning patterns - I have had two recent experiences with doing
henna as part of a mourning ritual, one personal and one for
another. Both situations were very moving and the henna was
powerfully healing.
Although some might say henna is not for sad events, I think it is a
wonderful tool for grieving. Grieving is a kind of illness, and
henna is used to treat sadness, depression and illness all over north
Africa. I wouldn't worry about doing Yemeni Jewish patterns,
however - what Ofra means to you is far more important than copying
another's pattern. I would try to find a quiet space, perhaps with
pictures of her (i'm sure there will be patterns on her clothing, CD
etc.) and free-associate your feelings of sadness with a design, ie,
one of Ofra's songs about freedom with a swallow design, etc. Try to
focus on the joy she brought you and symbolize that in your design.
I wish you a fulfilling and healing henna ritual..