Our cousin is getting married in a very traditional manner. The wedding is in two months, but this week the couple celebrated their formal engagement and held a “Henna” party. Henna is traditionally held prior to the wedding, and celebrated primarily by Jews from North Africa and the Middle East. The Henna involves smearing the Henna colored paste onto the hands of the participants. Henna is used throughout the Middle East as a hair dye to give a reddish tone to the hair. It is also used in some countries to paint intricate patterns on the hands and feet of the bride.
a twice-told tale 