MZURI KAJA DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY

HENNA

 A regular visitor to Zanzibar once commented “A visitor who is ignorant of a locally produced dye called “henna” which women use to adorn themselves is lacking valuable and vital information about Zanzibari women".  In Zanzibar henna, locally known as ‘hina’ in Swahili symbolizes the world of beauty, joy and happiness. It is an acknowledged local decoration said to change a woman to look more attractive and spruce. It is obtained after pounding the dried leaves of ‘mhina’ plant (LawsoniaInermis) which is then mixed with water to form a paste. Lemon juice, if wished can be an additional ingredient to make the dye more reddish and suitable for use. Lawsonia Inermis plants are abundantly found in Mzuri Kaja village

 Today henna occupies a special place in marriages and festivals in both rural and urban Zanzibar. It is decorated on the soles of the feet, ankles, palm and nails. Once the first layer is applied, one has to wait for it to dry before a new layer is applied. The dabbing process usually goes on for a minimum of three days and at least four times a day.  Henna is decorated in various designs. The more complex the design is, the more attractive the woman becomes. Some common names given to henna designs are “barabara” (road) and “msumeno” (saw).

 After adornment follows a week in which a woman does what Zanzibari people call “giving henna its deserved rights”.  A woman dresses in her finest. Khangas of the latest issue, jewels and gold ornaments are put on. On the part of shoes, leather sandals are more preferred as they expose the decorations.  A Zanzibari bride is sent to her “somo” (teacher) a week before the wedding. There she is adorned in elaborate designs of henna. During this period men are restricted in seeing her.

 Zanzibari women use henna to express their happiness and to mark religious or traditional occasions. They also adorn themselves with henna to gladden and welcome home their spouses who have been away for days. Men compliment their spouses by buying them new pairs of khangas ( piece of cloth worn by local women), shoes or jewelry.  

Henna is not without being associated with social taboo. According to Swahili customs, unmarried girls are forbidden to decorate themselves with henna as married women do. Odds are that younger woman can easily tempt man which is considered to be the domain of their elders and disapproved by society. Some men forbid their wives to apply henna as it is also a source of mischief as a famous Makunduchi-born poet, mwalimu Hija Saleh said:

 Zinanishangaza hina   zipakwazo mikononi

Utaona lako jina          limekoza kiganjani

Ukiyachungua sana     silako utabaini

Napindi uulizapo         jina hili ni la nani?                                      

Utaapiwa kiapo            lazima utaamini

 Literal translation:                                               

Hennas surprise me                      those painted on hands                       

You will notice your name          in bold on someone’s palm

If you investigate deeply              it’s not yours you’ll realize

And when you ask                      whose name is this?

It will be affirmed as yours          and  believe it, you will!!                                  

 

 

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