Sudanese Women Hold Fast to Threatened Henna Body Art

Sudanese women hold fast to threatened henna body art

Water scarcity, climate change and three years of war have endangered the cultivation of henna, the plant used to produce the dye that has adorned Sudanese brides for centuries and features prominently in family gatherings, religious celebrations and other events across Sudan. "Henna is both a hobby and a heritage for us," Mubarak told AFP, delicately tracing another flower onto her client's hand. "I apply henna for brides as it is an integral p…

Sudanese women preserve bridal henna tradition amid war and water crisis

For Sudanese women, keeping the tradition alive has become a way of preserving cultural identity amid profound upheaval.