PURSUIT OF CHANGE: PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL VALUES
LESSON 3:
HENNA CEREMONY

AIM:
How do different cultures use body art to identify themselves?

SWBAT:
Determine the use of body art, hand and body painting in other cultures. Appreciate other cultural practices. Participate in a Henna Ceremony.

DO NOW:
Why do people tattoo their bodies? When is decorating the body a part of a culture's identity?

MOTIVATION:
Show pictures of people with tattoos and pictures of Henna designs. Ask if the students would like to temporarily paint themselves as part of a cultural experience. Discuss the reasons why people tattoo or paint themselves (examples: the Ice Man, Native Americans, brides, grooms, motor cyclists, Cher, etc). Has anyone ever attended a Henna Party? Can they tell us about it?

MATERIALS:
Pictures : Design Ideas 1 , Design Ideas 2 , Henna Art , Henna Culture , Henna Studio Ad , Professional Designs 1 , Professional Designs 2 , Students 1 , Students 2
Handouts : Permission Slip

Henna Mud (enough for the entire class), paper towels, toothpicks, small plastic cups, paper to draw designs, pencils, sample designs (students can make these ahead of time). Several students can share a portion of henna and help each other with their designs. Place a small portion of henna mud in a small plastic cup, supply several toothpicks for the students to use as designing tips. When the students work with henna mud, place a paper towel under the cup and toothpicks to lessen any mess and to aid in the cleanup. I USE PERMSSION SLIPS TO MAKE SURE IT IS OKAY WITH PARENTS (see attached sample). If a student cannot participate, she/he can be an artist or a judge.

PROCEDURE:

Recipe for Henna
Henna Powder (1 box)
Red Tea brewed strong
Dark coffee brewed strong
Red Food Coloring
Juice of one lemon
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Mix 5 teaspoons of tea and 5 teaspoons of coffee into henna powder. Add 3 to 4 drops of red food coloring and the juice of 1 lemon. Mix until thin, but not liquefied. It should resemble a thin mud. Add more Red Tea and Dark Coffee (1 teaspoon at a time) until you reach the desired texture. Place in an airtight container. Keep covered with plastic as you work with henna to keep it from drying out.

Application
Place a small amount of mud in a plastic cup. Use toothpicks to carefully lump the mud onto the skin over a previously drawn design. Allow the mud to dry for about half an hour. Flick off the mud with a clean toothpick (into a paper towel; to be discarded). Do not touch or wash off for as long as possible, so that the design sets. Later the student can wash, but it really is not necessary. The design should come out nicely, as long as it is drawn with love and care. Intricate designs should be avoided with beginners. However, some students are artistic, and others may have prior experience and can therefore assist you with designs.

SUMMARY:
How did you identify yourself with the henna artwork? Ask students to explain their designs and why they chose a particular one

APPLICATION:
List events in your life that might require a similar use of art or design.

HOMEWORK:
Ask the students to research different cultures to find out why people identify themselves with signs and symbols and how they display it on their bodies.