Re: to Zimra's comment above about the book "Harem: The World Behind the Veil"

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Posted by Um-Hussayn Dawoud (aka Anisah) on July 10, 2001 at 05:56:53:

I just wanted at add to what Rachel Newcomb said about henna. While
some authors looking for the significance of henna in the middle east
may note the "Rural" people wearing henna. It isn't a "rural"
artform. It also holds a religious significance. In Islam, the
Prophet Muhammad had several times referred to the significance of
henna. He went as far as to tell one woman to apply henna to her
hands so as to distinguish her hands from that of a man's. In other
hadith (sayings of the Prophet) Muslims are told to use henna as a
medicine for aching legs. As a Muslim American who has lived amongst
Middle Eastern communities of diverse origin, I have to say that the
use of henna is more regional, than Rural verses Urban. Amongst the
Yemeni for example, henna parties are common amongst women for any
and every special occassion they can come up with. I had my hands and
feet hennaed when I was preparing to relocate to South Dakota.
Amongst the Sudanese women, the application of henna is also very
common but applied in a completely different pattern.

Um-Hussayn's Costumes Page

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Re: to Zimra's comment above about the book "Harem: The World Behind the Veil" Kenzi 23:18:33 7/10/2001 (0)

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: I just wanted at add to what Rachel Newcomb said about henna. While : some authors looking for the significance of henna in the middle east : may note the "Rural" people wearing henna. It isn't a "rural" : artform. It also holds a religious significance. In Islam, the : Prophet Muhammad had several times referred to the significance of : henna. He went as far as to tell one woman to apply henna to her : hands so as to distinguish her hands from that of a man's. In other : hadith (sayings of the Prophet) Muslims are told to use henna as a : medicine for aching legs. As a Muslim American who has lived amongst : Middle Eastern communities of diverse origin, I have to say that the : use of henna is more regional, than Rural verses Urban. Amongst the : Yemeni for example, henna parties are common amongst women for any : and every special occassion they can come up with. I had my hands and : feet hennaed when I was preparing to relocate to South Dakota. : Amongst the Sudanese women, the application of henna is also very : common but applied in a completely different pattern.
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