Mehndi MadnessTM Blog
KrysteenAt Mehndi Madness we like to highlight the many beautiful religious and cultural practices that henna is a part of and one coming up this April is Ramadan!
Ramadan is practiced in the Muslim community over the span of 29-30 days during the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and over this time they fast. The fasting is a way to help Muslims spend this time concentrating on their faith and spend less time on the concerns of their everyday lives. It is a time of worship and contemplation. During the time of their fast there are certain rules that must be upheld like, they are not allowed to eat or drink during the daylight hours and other vices like smoking and sexual relations are also not allowed during fasting. However, they can eat a pre-made meal called Suhur that has proteins and fats to help them get through the day, but no water. The fast is broken at night with a prayer and a meal called the iftar, then the fast begins again in the morning. Over Ramadan, Muslims will spend their days going to the Mosque and spend several hours praying and studying the Quran.
Now, the last day of Ramadan is known as the holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which means "festival of breaking the fast", it marks the end of Ramadan and the start of the next lunar month, Shawwal. It is during this time that henna is used to celebrate the end of the fast and as a symbol of “delight in being alive” they use it to show their appreciation for the gift of life after their month of fasting. Eid al-Fitr marks the completion of 30 days of fasting and is celebrated across the Islamic world with public holidays lasting for several days.
Mehndi Madness finds it important to educate ourselves as well as our customers in understanding the cultural practices that henna is associated with, so we encourage you to seek more information on the importance of henna in different communities as well as having fun in the sun getting henna at festivals (hopefully coming back soon)!
To Celebrate,
She began with thin lines
that curved into swirls and petals
soon encompass my palm,
twisting around to bloom
on the top of my hand.
Traveling through vines past
my wrist she weaves his
letter’s well hidden among
the leaves and flowers,
to celebrate,
our marriage.
