Henna Anyone?

Wow do Sudanese women know how to party! One thing that has amazed me here is that even though 90% of a Sudanese women's body is covered, the other 10% is made to look beautiful. Also, if some of the hidden 90% of her body happens to shows it is painted, manicured and beautified to catch a man's eye. So last night I was able to join one of our staff and be involved in a henna party the night before her wedding. Basically all the women that are close to the bride or are in the wedding party come together to paint themselves with henna for the next day's event. I have never had henna before and where better to try but in Darfur. The bride made the comment that 'henna is life in Darfur, no henna, not really a woman'. This is a very important part of their culture here. The pictures are of myself and the bride, and the artist working on my arms.

Like any gathering of women there is food, drinks and lots of talking. They talk about very normal things. They like to know if I have children, a husband or a boyfriend. And each no is followed with a 'why not'? Then the drums start and the dancing and singing follow. Soon a large bus of women pull up to the house and pile out in a wave of dancing and singing. However, the bride is not to be seen until the wedding. So she remained hidden in the back room while the rest of the women join in the party. However, she was not going to miss out on all the fun. She climbed up on a bed to peek through a crack between the roof and the wall so she could see what was happening. Periodically some men would arrive and dance their way through the women and then join the rest of the men in a room on the side. What a party! But it doesn't stay in one place for long. They all pile back into the bus and hit the groom's home and start the party all over again. I'm excited to see what is going to happen at the wedding today.