Mauritius - Henna Tattooing

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The art of mehendi, or henna tattooing, has been practised for thousands of years and is very much a part of Hindu and Muslim tradition, particularly in marriage ceremonies. Immigrants to Mauritius brought their tradition and skills with them, and visitors to the island are likely to see young Mauritian women with their hands and feet beautifully decorated. There is now a growing number of skilled henna artists offering mehendi to tourists wanting to follow the trend set by numerous celebrities, such as Madonna and Naomi Campbell.

The origins of mehendi are unclear, although it is believed to have originated in Mesopotamia before being introduced to India in the 12th century. The leaves of the henna bush (Lawsonia inermis) are harvested, then dried and crushed to make a fine powder. It is then mixed with rosewater or essential oils, cloves and water to make a paste. The henna paste seen in Mauritius uses plants grown on the island. The henna artist applies the paste to the skin in intricate patterns. After a few hours the paste crumbles away, leaving the skin temporarily stained in a shade between orange and brown. The tattoo gradually fades and usually disappears completely between one and three weeks later. The trick to prolonging the life of the tattoo is to ensure the paste remains moist while on the skin. This is done by spraying it with water or a mixture of lemon juice and sugar.

Mehendi is typically applied to the hands and feet and almost any design can be drawn by a skilled henna artist. Indian and Pakistani designs are often very ornate, giving the appearance of a lace glove or stocking. They traditionally reflect nature and include leaves, flowers and birds. Middle Eastern designs are mostly made up of floral patterns, while north African mehendi is typified by geometric shapes. Today these styles are often mixed, and some artists now use Chinese and Celtic symbols.

For weddings, it is traditional for the female friends and family of the bride-to-be to spend several hours, or even days, preparing her mehendi and discussing the forthcoming marriage. The mehendi is intended to charm and seduce the bridegroom, and in Hindu tradition his initials may be hidden among the designs for him to find on the wedding night.

Mehendi can be organised via many hotels, and there are often artists at markets and shopping centres. Prices range from Rs300 to Rs5,000 depending on the size and intricacy of the design.

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Mauritius - Henna Tattooing

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Mauritius - Henna Tattooing