 Hina
Attar
Henna or Hina (Lawsonia
inermis,
syn. L. alba) is a flowering plant, the sole species in the genus
Lawsonia in the family Lythraceae. The word "henna" (حــنــا) comes from
the Arabic name for the plant, pronounced /ħinnaːʔ/ or colloquially /ħinna/..
It is an also an islamic name given to girls which means blessed.
Hina - Henna, Lawsonia
inermis, produces a burgundy dye molecule, lawsone. This molecule has an
affinity for bonding with protein, and thus has been used to dye skin,
hair, fingernails, leather, silk and wool.
The Hina or Henna Attar offered above is a combination of 75 herbs
indigenous to the India subcontinent with the Henna plant (seen above to
the left) being the key ingredient in the Hina Attar - lending to it's
distinct rich color.
The different words
for henna in ancient languages imply that henna had more than one point of
discovery and origin, and different pathways of daily and ceremonial use.
Henna has been used
to adorn young women's bodies as part of social and holiday celebrations
since the late Bronze Age in the eastern Mediterranean. The earliest text
mentioning henna in the context of marriage and fertility celebrations
comes from the Ugaritic legend of Baal and Anath, which has references to
women marking themselves with henna in preparation to meet their husbands,
and Anath adorning herself with henna to celebrate a victory over the
enemies of Baal. Wall paintings excavated at Akrotiri (dating prior to the
eruption of Thera in 1680 BCE) show women with markings consistent with
henna on their nails, palms and soles, in a tableau consistent with the
henna bridal description from Ugarit.Many statuettes of young women dating
between 1500 and 500 BCE along the Mediterranean coastline have raised
hands with markings consistent with henna. This early connection between
young, fertile women and henna seems to be the origin of the Night of the
Henna, which is now celebrated world-wide.
The Night of the Henna was
celebrated by most groups in the areas where henna grew naturally: Jews,
Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Zoroastrians, among others, all celebrated
marriages by adorning the bride, and often the groom, with henna. The use
of henna and mehndi by the Prophet insured its place in history and its
popularity and acceptance among the Muslim people.
Across the
henna-growing region, Purim, Eid, Diwali, Karva Chauth, Passover, Nowruz,
Mawlid, and most saints' days were celebrated with some henna. Favorite
horses, donkeys, and salukis had their hooves, paws, and tails hennaed.
Battle victories, births, circumcision, birthdays, Zar, as well as
weddings, usually included some henna as part of the celebration. When
there was joy, there was henna, as long as henna was available.
Henna was regarded as
having "Barakah," blessings, and was applied for luck as well as joy and
beauty. Brides typically had the most henna, and the most complex
patterns, to support their greatest joy, and wishes for luck. Some bridal
traditions were very complex, such as those in Yemen, where the Jewish
bridal henna process took four or five days to complete, with multiple
applications and resist work.
Common to many regions of the world henna is used as a hair dye.
The fashion of
"Bridal Mehndi" in Pakistan, Northern Libya and in North Indian diasporas
is currently growing in complexity and elaboration, with new innovations
in glitter, gilding, and fine-line work. Recent technological innovations
in grinding, sifting, temperature control, and packaging henna, as well as
government encouragement for henna cultivation, have improved dye content
and artistic potential for henna.
Though traditional
henna artists were Nai caste in India, and barbering castes in other
countries (lower social classes), talented contemporary henna artists can
command high fees for their work. Women in countries where women are
discouraged from working outside the home can find socially acceptable,
lucrative work doing henna. Morocco, Mauritania, Yemen, Libya, Somalia,
Sudan, as well as India and many other countries have thriving women's
henna businesses. These businesses are often open all night for Eids,
Diwali and Karva Chauth, and many women may work as a team for a large
wedding where hundreds of guests will be hennaed as well as the bride and
groom.
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Hina Attar |
Developed from a combination of seventy-five indigenous rare herbs found
only in India. Also known as Mehandi. This is an acquired taste but if you
have traveled in India and you know you like it then you know what you want
and so we offer it here for our world traveling clients.
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SOON |
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