More Than Adornment: How Henna Tells Stories of Joy, Healing and Belonging At Sharjah Heritage Days,
Sharjah 8 February 2026
henna was not treated as a simple beauty ritual—but as a living social language passed quietly from one generation to the next.
During a heritage seminar hosted by the Arab Heritage Center as part of the 23rd edition of Sharjah Heritage Days, speakers traced the many lives of henna: from celebration to care, from ornament to remedy, and from personal expression to shared cultural identity.
Henna artist Shamsa Al Ghaithi spoke of how the practice once accompanied every stage of life. It marked moments of happiness such as weddings and Eid celebrations, appeared on the hands of brides during the henna night procession, and was even used for newborns after forty days—an old custom rooted in protection and blessing. Beyond adornment, she explained, henna was valued for its practical uses: cooling the body in harsh heat, treating minor wounds and burns, nourishing hair, and concealing grey.
Tools, preparation methods and accompanying traditional perfumes were all part of the ritual, turning the act of applying henna into a complete sensory experience shaped by patience, skill and symbolism.
Henna artist Afra Al Ghaithi highlighted the deeper meaning behind the patterns. While styles of preparation and engraving vary across Arab countries, she noted, the symbolism remains constant. Henna is universally tied to joy, goodwill and prosperity, making it one of the most recognisable elements of shared Arab heritage. Its endurance, she added, lies in its ability to adapt without losing its essence.
The seminar was followed by a hands-on workshop where visitors watched henna being prepared and applied using traditional tools, alongside a display of related products. The practical element brought the discussion to life, allowing audiences to see how an ancient practice continues to thrive in contemporary settings.
Within the wider programme of Sharjah Heritage Days, the session reinforced a simple idea: heritage is not confined to museums or archives. Sometimes, it lives in the palm of a hand—drawn in fine lines, scented with memory, and carried forward through ritual and care.