Henna, sometimes called hanna, is more than a short-term decoration on the body or a beauty mark in Morocco; it is a link that is part of Morocco’s history, spirit, and daily life.

BY LUIGINA D’INTRONO

Henna comes from the dried, crushed leaves of a plant called Lawsonia inermis. This plant has been grown in North Africa and the Middle East for a long time. In culture, this simple
green powder becomes a strong sign of baraka, which means holy grace or a blessing, protection and strength for women. To learn about the use of henna in Morocco is to enter a
tradition of health, beauty and happy times with others.

The Science and Art of the Natural Color
The special power of henna comes from a chemical called lawsone, which is a red-orange color found in the leaves of the plant. When the leaves are made into a powder and mixed
with a bit of acid like lemon juice, orange blossom water or tea, the lawsone comes out. When this mixture is put on the skin, it connects with the keratin in the layers of the skin, leaving a
warm orange-brown color that gets darker over 24 to 48 hours and can stay for up to three weeks.

In Moroccan beauty traditions, henna is loved for both the way it looks and the way it feels. It is used not for decoration on the skin but also as a deep conditioning treatment for hair and as a natural way to cool down feet and hands during hot summer days. Its natural ability to fight germs made it a helpful way to treat skin problems and keep away infections in the past.

The Night of Henna: a special event Henna can be used for decoration, but its most important use is during big life events, especially Moroccan weddings. The wedding celebration often lasts for days and includes a
special evening called Laylat al-Henna.

This event happens the night before the wedding. Is a private gathering for women only. The bride wearing a green dress sits in the middle of the group surrounded by women in the family, friends and older people. The place is full of music beating drums and the smell of burning incense and rosewater.

A skilled artist, called the neggafa or hannaya carefully puts designs on the bride’s hands and feet. This process has a meaning:

Protection from bad things: Some shapes, like triangles, diamonds and special eyes are drawn to stop bad energy from coming.

Bringing luck: Small flowers and palm shapes are added to bring good things like having a baby being rich and being happy in the new marriage.

Connecting and sharing: While the bride sits still and the henna dries older women tell stories laugh and give advice about marriage making the time spent together a way to pass down knowledge from one generation to the next.

When the bride’s henna is finished any leftover paste is given to women there giving them the same blessing so they too can find happiness in marriage.

Styles: bold lines vs. beautiful flowers
Moroccan henna looks different from the thick detailed designs of Indian mehndi or the delicate lace-like styles of the Arabian Peninsula. Within Morocco, some styles show the countrys many regions and cultures:

Berber (Amazigh) Designs: These come from the mountain areas and rural parts of Morocco. Amazigh henna has clear shapes like lines, diamonds, triangles and symbols that show fertility, nature and the tribe.

Fassi Style: This style comes from Fez, the center. Fassi designs are very detailed. They use lots of lines and patterns that need a lot of skill to make.

Sahrawi Styles: In Morocco and the Sahara Desert, the designs often have big bold flowers and flowing lines that look different against the skin.

A tradition that lives on today
In Morocco henna keeps changing but still keeps its main identity. Today Moroccan women often mix Amazigh patterns with new flower designs for special events like Eid, baby naming
(Aqiqa) or casual get-togethers.

Even though expensive spas and modern shops in cities like Marrakech, Casablanca and Tangier now offer henna treatments with beauty services, the real meaning of the tradition is still in the home. It is a caring act that shows joy, friendship and a connection to the past, shown clearly on the skin.