Henna

Communities Involved

In Singapore, henna is used primarily by the Indian and Malay communities, especially during weddings and festive events such as Deepavali and Hari Raya Puasa. It is believed to convey prosperity, good health, and well wishes to those who use it, as well as a form of beautification typically used by women. However, men may also apply henna at weddings to identify themselves as the groom. Typically, women tend to apply more intricate designs while men often apply simpler circular shapes. Additionally, in its modern use, henna is a form of body art popular amongst both genders, similar to that of (temporary) tattoos.

Associated Social and Cultural Practices

Henna is used as an adornment for cultural celebrations and rites of passage in Indian and Malay communities. These occasions include:

1. Deepavali
   As part of Deepavali festivities observed by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs, the application of henna is a significant part of the celebration of the festival which involves the community dressing their best. Henna art is typically applied by henna artists – many of whom have stalls set up at Deepavali bazaars – or by relatives in the days leading up to Deepavali.
2. Hari Raya Puasa
   In Singapore, the application of henna is starts from as early as during the Ramadan period, where henna stalls can be found aplenty at the annual Ramadan Baazar in Geylang Serai. This practice is distinct from that in countries such as India and Pakistan where henna is typically applied only on the eve of Hari Raya.
3. Weddings
   Most notably, henna plays a big role in Hindu and Muslim wedding ceremonies. While henna is an important feature as part of the dress-up for the wedding day, there are also nuptial and pre-wedding ceremonies where henna is applied. For the Indian community, families may host a mehndi ceremony for the bride and bridal party prior to the wedding day, where the application of henna is believed to symbolise protection, health and fertility of the bride.
4. Baby Showers and Pregnancy/Birth Celebrations
   Another occasion where henna is featured prominently is during baby showers or to ceremonies to celebrate pregnancy or the birth of a child. During pregnancy, henna designs are drawn on the woman’s belly and regarded as a form of blessing for the mother and unborn child, and a way of celebrating the changes in an expectant mother’s body and life.
5. Other Celebrations, Festive Occasions and Reasons 
   Henna art may also be featured at celebrations and events which involve other communities, such as the annual Racial Harmony Day celebrations in schools to commemorate Singapore’s multicultural heritage. Henna is also believed to have cooling properties and reduces bodily heat, hence the application of henna on the hands and feet during potentially stressful and crowded events such as weddings – especially in the warm climates of the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia - is done with the intention to ensure the wellness of the bridal party.

Experience of a Practitioner

While Henna artists in Singapore generally operate as freelancers or as home-based businesses, with several also at stalls set up during the annual Deepavali and Ramadan bazaars in the month leading up to these festivals, there are also established businesses. One of the more established henna businesses in Singapore is SyraSkins, which has been in operation for more than ten years. SyraSkins is a family business set up and run by two sisters, Syra and Mehroon Gulam. Coming from a large family of mixed ethnicity, the sisters were involved in many family weddings where henna was applied at wedding parties. Syra dabbled with henna from the age of four and attributes her keen interest in the art to the knowledge transmitted by her mother, aunties and cousins in applying henna at weddings and various other celebrations. Today, Syra makes her own henna cones, with imported henna powder from India, and unlike commercial henna which may incorporate chemicals for a longer shelf-life, she does not add any additives or artificial coloring. Instead, she uses natural henna and infuses the product with pure essential oils such as lavender, rose and geranium for aroma. The sisters attribute much of SyraSkins’ success to their style of henna designs, which are symmetrically drawn on both hands and/or feet. As a result, customers have been able to identify them from their signature geometric designs, which are distinguishable from designs that are more culturally influenced, and may include motifs such as flowers and animals, for example.

Watch: SyraSkins

Present Status

Though henna is associated closely with cultural practices of the Indian and Malay communities in Singapore as a form of adornment for festive events and special occasions, henna art has been growing in popularity amongst the wider community for use as temporary tattoos, with a noticeable shift in designs to more varied and contemporary styles. The long-standing cultural significance of henna use amongst the Malay and Indian communities in Singapore coupled with the broader appeal of henna art amongst the wider community has supported the sustainability of the practice and the continued demand for henna artists and their craft.

References

Reference No.: ICH-106

Date of Inclusion: March 2024