Once the part of the design that tells a story is finished, the person drawing goes back to add "filler" to the complicated design.
By Haeley Rivera
DELHI, India — In the United States, “henna” brings to mind beaches or fairs and the temporary tattoos that can be gotten at little booths set up along walkways but, in South Asia, women are using henna to reach out to other women with the Good News of the Gospel.
Henna covers women’s hands, and sometimes feet, in brownish-red intricate patterns for special occasions like weddings and holidays. When women get together, they will often draw simpler designs on each other, decorating each other’s palms and wrists.
Traditional henna does not tell stories. Adornment is the only purpose of the designs. Through the creativity, patience and interest of many Christian women in South Asia, traditional icons have begun to take on meanings that point to the love, grace, forgiveness and promises of God.
Many cross-cultural workers in South Asia spend a couple of hours each week doing henna parties. To prepare, the ladies learn a Bible story and the henna design that relates to that story. Some cross-cultural workers learn versions of the story in the local language, like Hindi. Others use translators.
In a male-dominated culture, henna is one of few things strictly for women. Henna groups provide a time for women to learn from the Bible. “Women aren’t usually in Bible study groups with men here. If they are, they certainly won’t say anything. Women need their own thing,” says Vanna Larcombe.*
Peace is the theme that binds together the Bible story set that accompanies the henna designs. “Women want [peace] in their lives and relationships. It’s what they are looking for,” says Kerry Corliss.*
After prayer, henna parties usually start with a time of sharing. Facilitators like Corliss and Larcombe ask the ladies if they drew the design on or told the previous story to any of their friends. This time gives women accountability to be sharing what they are learning about God through the Bible stories; it adds depth to the event because women are challenged each time to go out and share their faith, knowing they will be asked about their experiences the next time they meet.
Next, the meeting transitions into the new story. The leaders tell the new story two to three times before asking the group to act out the story as someone tells it. Then, they ask volunteers to retell the story. Each group member tells the story and is encouraged to help the others if needed. The goal is that each woman be able to retell the story on her own.
Once everyone has told the story, comprehension questions follow. Women are asked to share what they learned from the story and how the story relates to their own lives, for example.
Women in these groups especially love the stories that illustrate the peace that can be found in Jesus and His love demonstrated specifically to women. For instance, women really like the story from Mark 5:25-34 of the sick woman. “Jesus specifically wanted to find the woman and speak to her; he made it a point to find her in the crowd. He called her ‘daughter.’ I think, in South Asian culture, that it’s important for women to see their worth in the eyes of Christ.” says Larcombe.
A group member uses the henna to tell the story to a woman who came late and did not get to hear the story.
Other favorites include the creation story (where it says that God made woman because it was not good for man to be alone) and any of the henna designs that cover most the palm of the hand in the pattern. The more intricate and complicated the design, the more beautiful they think it is.
To keep everyone’s attention on the Bible story, the henna design is only revealed after the story has been told, retold, and the questions answered. After everyone has the design and understands which parts of the picture tell the story, then the henna cones come out. Henna cones are tubes that contain henna paste used to draw designs.
According to Corliss, there are two types of henna parties. Some reach out to share the Good News with people who do not know. Others bring believers together to fellowship and grow.
On the one hand, the outreach group is a bit “chaotic,” says Corliss. Although a few adult women attend the group meetings, the majority of the group is young girls and teens. “Many of these girls just come because they want the henna on their hands,” says Larcombe.
It took several meetings, but the group is beginning to expect the storying time and come prepared to hear a story from God’s Word before getting henna.
On the other hand, the study and fellowship group has a completely different feel. Corliss says that this group is mostly adult women who are used to sitting to listen and learn from the Bible. This group wants to hear the truths of the Bible.
Once the henna comes out, however, they are just like other Indian women. They eagerly await the beautiful designs to be drawn on their hands. Most of the ladies who attend this group use the henna designs on their own hands to retell the stories between henna parties but it is difficult to convince them to try drawing on others.
How can you pray for women in South Asia?
• Pray that these groups would continue to be a safe place for women to learn about the Father’s love for His daughters.
• Ask Him to stir a hunger for His love in those who do not know Jesus and a desire to share in those who do.
• Lift up the women leading these groups as they seek to use henna as a creative way to relate and reach out to women in South Asia and in other parts of the world.
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*Name changed.
Haeley Rivera is a Hands On volunteer currently serving among South Asian peoples. Rivera recently graduated with a master’s degree before beginning her six-month term. For more information on short or long-term volunteer opportunities, go to http://southasianpeoples.imb.org/connect/. For more information about henna storytelling, go to www.southasianpeoples.imb/henna.