Henna parties are a bridal tradition in most Arab countries and many others around the world. They are the equivalent of bachelorette parties in the west and differ from a country to another. So let’s explore a few elements that make this tradition as special as it is!

Henna is a paste made of dried henna leaves that comes in quite a dark color and stains the skin very easily – which leaves little room for mistakes. It is used to paint intricate designs on the hands and sometimes the feet of the bride and her relatives. Using a paper cone with a fine tip at the end, an artist present at the party does the job and makes sure to create the most intricate and special designs on the hands of the bride-to-be – making her feel distinguished on this joyful day. After all, this is the time to pamper her the most, right?

Dating back over five thousand years, henna parties are held throughout the eastern Mediterranean, in Morocco and in the Gulf states. It is believed to give blessings, luck and joy and is seen as a way to enhance the beauty of the bride. The henna design can include symbols representing joy, luck, success, beauty and other positive qualities, as well as the initials of the husband-to-be.  And because the bride should sit still for a long time – three to six hours – her friends and family dance and sing to entertain her, as well as give her treats.

While in Palestine, brides usually choose floral patterns to match their dresses, in Turkey things are done differently as the bride’s family and friends dance around her singing sad songs until she starts crying as a good omen before they decorate her hands with henna. In Saudi Arabia, one of the female relatives of the bride paints the bride’s hands with henna and has to be happily married in order to avoid bringing her bad luck. However, Tunisia takes this tradition to a whole new level with a celebration that lasts 7 days and on the third day, the bride wears a traditional dress and gets her hands and feet painted with henna.

Although the party may differ from one country to another, the bride has the choice of applying a theme that she likes to this day and personalize her experience according to her own taste.

Mirella Haddad