African type of Henna

(Photographed by Ron Jaffe)

Firstly, a sharp object is pressed and dragged into the skin in a pattern or design, carrying some sort of meaning, leaving behind cuts that become decorative scars when healed. most of the time, the patterns are geometric and they follow the shape of the palm. the african type of henna usually starts with an "x" shape in the middle.

(Photographed by Ron Jaffe)

Women of certain tribes in northern Africa tattoo small dots on their faces after giving birth to a son. some of them henna or tattoo their faces to represent their ethnic identity. Some bear facial tattoos that ward off evil spirits. Some women in Africa tattoo the areas on the face where they are mostly likely to get wrinkles, thinking the design will keep them young. Some of them use henna for healing. Other reasons of using henna are for marriage and initiation to adulthood. 

(Photographed by Ron Jaffe)

(copy right of Catherine Cartwright Jones)

(Photographed by Melinda Cole) 

click on this. there is a link to extra information on African henna.

References:

1.Obrien, J. (2010, April 1st). eHow. Retrieved March 2011, from history of african tattoos: http://www.ehow.com/about_6171703_history-african-tattoos.html

2.Youba. (2009, April 26th). African henna patterns are bold, large geometric designs. . Retrieved March 2011, from http://www.teleref.fr/african-henna-pattern.html