Is Getting a Henna Tattoo Cultural Appropriation? Henna Expert Weighs in on this Controversial Topic

[@nonelikethese]

Thank you for saying that henna originated in Africa. I could tell that you were apprehensive about saying this. I had my first henna tattoo in Africa. The practice is huge over there. I've been to India too, and the practice is huge there too. Thank you for saying this! Sometimes the truth hurts!

[@HennaSooq]

I couldn't agree more.

[@snowmoon1743]

Thank you for saying this! I have been doing henna for 9 years professionally, it quite literally saved my life & took me places I never imagined, but with that has come a lot of judgement. Ive been called a culture vulture & been told im appropriating a culture that isn't mine because its how I make money. Im always hesitant to put it on tiktok, youtube, & instagram because I dont want to offend people, but I truly love it. I love making people happy & feeding my family by doing something I love.

[@wifeoftheparty9839]

You could do it without showing your face. It only requires your hands.

[@goldbars777]

Henna began in Africa and spread out. As other traditions have. It’s not appropriation‼️

[@Keralasha444]

This!

[@DD-bj9ds]

Henna art began in India

[@CrystalAlyse]

@@DD-bj9ds Africa… it all began in Africa.

[@desrankine1935]

Everything began in African?

[@desrankine1935]

Your being possessive. It's OK to use other people's stuff and give them credit.

[@vispersora7079]

My father is Middle Eastern/South Asian & my mother's family is French. I grew up around henna (hair/body) & love it so much. Sharing that appreciation & art with folks is an amazing opportunity to connect across cultures.

[@fedup8347]

Way I see it is going to a henna artist to get henna is RESPECTING culture, because its giving the henna artists money and uplifting that culture:)

[@shionajoseph3248]

I think henna’s beautiful. Had it done for a wedding. Loved the experience and I use as a strengthener for my hair

[@Jahnnycakes]

Thank you for this video! I've watched henna artists on the Internet for a while now, and I was thinking of going and getting one myself before school starts up. I was worried some might find it "offensive" when I just admire the beauty of it. I'll definitely go get it done now that im more educated!

[@HennaSooq]

Yasss!

[@klynnharrison5072]

I loved your explanation of the origination of Henna and it's absolutely cultural appreciation for me. I buy henna cones and I've been practicing on myself for a few years because I think it's beautiful and I'm really trying to work on my artform🥴🙏🏾✌🏾

[@kaymara7699]

Thank you so much for sharing. I think you have a really beautiful perspective on this! I've recently become very interested in henna and have a deep respect for its cultural significance and tradition! Such a beautiful art!

[@RealHousewivesUnlimited]

Thank you I’m Nigerian, and in Nigeria henna is called lalle….it’s been practiced in all parts of Africa for thousands of years ❤

[@snowflakesinthesun1116]

I agree, I also believe the amount of respect and knowledge you have about henna or an aspect of culture you're incorporating into your own life makes a big difference, whether it's from your own culture or someone else's. I understand the people who get offended, however they are usually just looking in from the outside and aren't aware of that person's experience or reasons for incorporating that cultural aspect into their lives. Can't judge a book by it's cover, right (:

[@TracyD2]

Everyone wants to stay mad about everything. There are more important things going on that is being done to us all that should get that energy. We are guided to stay divided. People speak of woke but we need to wake up.

[@NoLefTurnUnStoned.]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@EB-cw2rv]

Thank you Khadijah! You are so honest on your words. I am originally from Ethiopia and I remember growing using henna for holidays. Our mom will prepare it for us and applied for us.

[@Emlyn3]

I do henna, but personally I just do little images or designs, not patterns that you would typically see in Middle Eastern, African, or Indian culture. It’s really not worth the risk of participating in cultural appropriation for me and it’s always better to ere on the safe side in my opinion.

[@NormalizeNotBeingaVictim]

If you like the designs then do it. It's not appropriation. It's art. Art forms may originate from different cultures but they do not own it. Just don't, obviously, do it out of disrespect and you have nothing to fear.

[@talithacumi5]

Thank you for your cultural sensitivity, Ermmmidklol. Enjoy your henna.

[@naturesaura5555]

Honestly, a lot of symbolism and designs you see around the world used by certain cultures were stolen/adopted by others anyway. Then they’ll scream appropriate etc when they have no clue their own culture has taken it from elsewhere but I respect the human decency in you!

[@chrissyLoved]

I’m also glad that you’re sharing your views.

[@wifeoftheparty9839]

It's things like henna that bring people of different cultures together. But that is what the powers that shouldn't be don't want. They want to keep us divided so they can control us.

[@kimkimiaroch7117]

Thanks im from panama i work as artist i do henna because i love the designs and always explain to my customer about the henna not only for earn money.

[@morganmayfair4755]

Who is to say what races we were in other lives, and why we are born into a certain race… did we have to be a certain race in this life to overcome resentment we had in a previous life. We are all human, and sharing is beautiful.

[@JENNIFAFAA]

I have been doing henna professionally for 10 years. I am very white but my dad is half Syrian and people make me feel so uncomfortable all the time pointing out how I’m white or asking how I got into this. I want to say that actually the earliest written recording of Henna being used comes from Damascus Syria, but I know people don’t know Im part Middle Eastern or even care. just get so mad feeling like I have to justify it because it’s not owned by any one culture

[@CrystalAlyse]

Yep Africans do henna too... we are just used to seeing African face or body paint more than henna on the feet and hands but tribes in Africa do it too. But they don’t use the paisleys and lotus vines, it’s other leaves and some black women do leaves and roses and other things of meaning.

[@laberynthe]

Thank you for this message.

[@زهيرالشلاه]

Iam from lraq lam happy to find this channel

[@ascendednightingale2456]

There are many parts of different cultures that I have taken part in because I resonate with them and find them beautiful or beneficial to my physical or mental health. Any time I’m interested in a practice of a different culture, I do research on it’s origins to understand the meaning behind them. If they have a sacred meaning that would not fit me, I don’t incorporate it. Like Native American headdresses. Henna, Ayurveda, asana yoga, and djembe drumming are parts of different cultures that I incorporate into my life. I don’t do it for money or make a show of it, or even teach others about it. I think the sharing of cultures is a fun way to learn about the world, and we shouldn’t gatekeep, but we should be open and mindful and respectful of everyone’s culture.

[@theresadc85]

YESS!! I agree 100%. I find all cultures beautiful in their own way. It’s what makes them unique and interesting. And It’s a shame that some people struggle to share their way of life with each other. Teach each other. Praise each other.

[@StellyITA]

Hi Khadijah! Thank you for your informative videos. Just out of curiosity, what happens if I mix Cassia with beetroot juice/powder and then use it on blonde hair? Will it take the pinkish pigments of the beetroot or it will just be a little more golden from the cassia?

[@ConejitoPequenito]

I agree that it should be done with respect, especially as a permanent tattoo. I love sharing my henna tubes with friends, but it irks me a bit to see them treat it like it's just a drawing exercise. Henna is so meaningful to me

[@HennaSooq]

it's up to us artists to just be there for others in their curiosity about henna. I mean henna designing starts somewhere.

[@Slava232]

Maybe you are right about something "calling" you when you pay attention to another culture. I'm Ukrainian and as I grow older - I pay more and more attention to Indian culture. And recently I discovered that Slavic people have connection to Indo-Aryan people. Even Slavic languages still have Indian words in it. Like the Indian word "agni" which means "fire". In Russian we call "fire" - "agon' ", in Ukrainian we call it "voghon' ". There are waaaaay more similar words. Pre-Christian Slavs also believed in a lot of Gods. We almost lost all connections to Indian people nowadays, just the language still represents some of those connections. This proves that racism is so meaningless on so many levels! We are all somehow connected and we are all HUMAN RACE ❤

[@Tekirai]

I always loved henna and I read up on it and how it expanded outside of Africa and the differences between culture and regions and designs l

[@Desi_Ray.]

You shouldn’t be offended you should embrace it I wanna try it but I don’t want anyone to be upset because I’m black I just like the way it looks I think it’s beautiful

[@shanicebell4086]

this was amazingly said!

[@guidedbythedevine6397]

It's original origin is Egypt check the history

[@saplingsofsweven1125]

Oh my goodness, I just love you!💓

[@someone857]

When I get married, I would like i have the bridal henna (mehendi I think is how it's spelled) because I think it is absolutely the most beautiful thing ever. I am not Hindu or any African religion, I am very white, would it still be okay if I had bridal henna done? I didn't know if that is any different then normal henna, I just think it's so pretty and elegant.

[@alexprokachev]

Can I make my scalp darker with henna?

[@HennaSooq]

Hello. It usually doesn’t stain the scalp or it fades off in a day and is not noticeable as the scalp is very thin and won’t absorb much dye.

[@Kuroxmichan.2]

Hello I want to ask.. I've bought Henna (for hair) that is already mixed I am not sure if I should freeze it or keep it in the fridge because, my hair is very short and, I do not want to waste the henna.. any recommendation? this is my first time using henna. I would really appreciate your response ❤ if yes, how long does henna stays frozen for with its benefit?

[@Truth-lx8pm]

Henna, came with Islam, not india, when islam came to india, so did henna. Anyway as a Muslim, I do not care if people get henna tattoo, seriously so what, its not affecting any pot of my life

[@savitar8002]

No, Muslims when they came to India and adapting Hindu practices. Tattoo, Painting is haram in Islam. Mehndi is not Islamic or Arabic culture

[@DrStrange234]

​@@savitar8002 Henna word itself is Arabic Henna or Mehndi was first used by Ancient Egyptians Now it is used by All Arabs Africans Turks central Asians and south Asians Tattoo is Haram but Henna is not tattoo Hindus before Henna used Red powder called kumkum or something

[@savitar8002]

@@DrStrange234 Henna word came from 17th century word. Mehndi came from ancient Sanskrit word. What is Henna word is to do with it's origin. People call '0' as zero does it mean it came from England

[@savitar8002]

@@DrStrange234 Art is haram in Islam. Ancient Egyptians and Babylonians were Polytheists. Mehndi was already used in India befofe Arabs. Art is against Islam. Arabs adopted this style from pagans

[@August12350]

​@@DrStrange234you can literally trace back mehndi art in the tample long back

[@ameenshenna]

I agree

[@janedoe3648]

Would it look weird on a fair skinned blonde? Lol. Need to know!☺️

[@yoyo_dawg]

as a fair skinned blonde, it looked beautiful when i tried it! highly recommend

[@marcusmartin9140]

I love you sister

[@HennaSooq]

Thank you! I receive that love! Appreciate you.

[@cococock2418]

You’re not African American. You’re arab. People mean black when they say African. Not Egypt.

[@Slava232]

Egyptians are Caucasoid Africans. They can be called "Africans", but cannot be called "Black". The same with other types of local people. If there are Muslims who live in Europe for generations - they can be called Europeans. I mean muslims like Tatar people. We have Tatars in Ukraine and they have the right to be referred to as "Europeans" just like other Ukrainians. The world is diverse. Asia doesn't always mean just Brown or Mongoloid people and Africa doesn't always mean "Black".

[@Slava232]

I will even call white people from South African Republic "White Africans". They were BORN in Africa. They ARE africans no matter what.