This plant, whose leaves are dried, ground, and transformed into a paste, is used primarily to tattoo the forearms and feet of women participating in weddings, but also to dye hair or bring good luck to babies, UNESCO explains.
“Henna symbolizes the life cycle of an individual, from birth to death, and is present during significant life milestones,” the text advocating its inclusion in the Intangible Cultural Heritage list states. Its use, often accompanied by oral traditions, is tied to social rules and customs that date back centuries.
The patterns and designs vary by region, with temporary tattoos inspired by Amazigh culture in North Africa, compared to the bolder floral motifs of the Arabian Peninsula. The candidacy for henna’s recognition was supported by sixteen Arab countries, including Morocco.
The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage has been meeting since Monday in Asunción, Paraguay. From Tuesday to Thursday, it will decide on the inscription of 66 new elements presented as part of community traditions, according to UNESCO.
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