Henna Night

One of my students, Sara, stopped by my office this morning. She had with her a beautiful dress that she told me was traditional bridal dress. The traditional color for brides is green, though most brides these days dress in white. Sara told me that her sister is getting married soon, and that on the night before the wedding all the women in the family get together for a henna night. Not a hen party--a get together for applying henna for the wedding. It is important for everyone to dress up for the occasion and the bride would wear an outfit similar to this. Sara told me that if you went to henna night in jeans it would be considered rude.

Sara modeled the beautiful gold decorated sheer overdress of the outfit. It is not as pretty over her black abaya, but the color is the most vibrant green. The under dress (Sara called it a thobe) is lovely green satin with wide sleeves.

Sara is Bedouin, of the Al Qawari tribe, and she is very proud of her heritage. She wanted me to take a picture of the dress but not of her face, so the cut-of is intentional.