Lesson 4 Henna HanD
(Correlates with ICP MW: Week 6, 10)
My lover is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards on En Gedi. ~ Song of Songs 1:14
Description:
Students will learn about the ancient India art of Henna design, which is still popular today.
MATERIALS:
• Library books on Henna
• Henna dye (optional)
• Examples of Henna designs
• White cardstock
• Pencils
• Fine tip markers
• Body art markers (optional)
Vocabulary:
Angiosperm
Henna plant
INSTRUCT:
Henna dye, also known as Mendhi, is derived from the Henna plant. The famous botanist Carl Linnaeus named and classified it as Lawsonia inermis, an angiosperm (flowering plant), native to northern Africa and southeast Asia. If you are using the Invictus Classical Press Memory Guide, you may want to review the Science catechism for week 3 here, which asks: “Who was Carl Linnaeus?”
What is Lawsonia inermis?
Henna is considered an herb and has long been known to possess healing qualities. In ancient times it was used to cure ailments such as headaches, stomach pains, burns, and open wounds. It can reduce fever, heal athlete’s foot, and even prevent hair loss! Henna skin, hair, and fingernails, as well as wool, and leather.
How does it dye?
Henna dye is a fine powder that is made from the dried leaves of the plant and then combined with a liquid to form a paste. The thin paste is intricately applied to the skin using a stick, cone, or in modern times, a syringe. The paste must stay on the skin for as long as possible so that the active component, lawson, has time to migrate into the skin and bind with the proteins there. The longer the paste is left on the skin, the longer the stain will last. When applied, Henna stains just the top layer of skin and leaves a beautiful orange to brown color when it dries. Even though it looks dark green when applied, the paste will flake off revealing a light to medium brown stain.
DIRECTIONS
1. Explain to the students that today they will be learning about an ancient art technique known as Henna Design. Henna Design is a type of body-art that was practiced by most of the cultures in the ancient near east and Africa. It was especially popular in India, where brides and bridegrooms would adorn themselves with intricate designs before their wedding day. If you were able to purchase Henna, now is a good time to show the kids the tube. Squeeze a little out and have them smell it and feel the texture on their skin.
2. Tell the students that they are going to be making outlines of their own hands on cardstock and then filling them in first with pencil and then marker designs. Show them some sample designs that they can use. Draw their attention to the thinner, longer designs that go on the fingers and around the wrist, and the wider, rounder designs that cover the palm. Have them notice the swirls and circles, the flowers and dots, and the intricate patterns. Give them a moment to really observe the designs. Don’t rush them!
3. Distribute white cardstock and pencils to each stu dent and instruct them to place each hand, one at a time, onto the paper and spread their fingers wide before tracing around their fingers and palm. If they are old enough, they can trace their own hands, but the younger students may need some help. If desired, and to save time, you can print out some generic hand outlines and hand them out for the students to practice on first.
4. Once the outlines are done, bring their attention again to the sample designs. Have them close their eyes for a minute to imagine how they want to decorate their hands.
5. When they are ready, instruct them to use their pencils to carefully create their designs. When they are happy with them, hand out the markers so they can trace over the pencil lines.
6. Take a picture of the henna hands and send them home!
7. If desired, hand out some body art markers and let the children design on their hands, or on each other’s hands. If you were able to purchase Henna, which can be easily found online or in an ethnic store, have the students try it on their hands. How ever, remember to allow 15 to 20 minutes before they can wash it off. Perhaps plan a read aloud while their hands dry. Nadia’s Hands, by Karen English is a perfect book for this.
Bani Thani, by Nihâl Chand (circa 1750)
