Mali's henna, shea butter, 'hiplaces' enhance women's beauty
Submitted on June 26, 2003 - 12:00am.
Erin Hill - Summer 2003
WASHINGTON -- Janet Goldner, a presenter for the Smithsonian Institution's Folklife Festival, sat patiently as her feet were prepared by henna artist Aminata Doumbia, of Bamako, the capital of Mali.
Doumbia, 23, has been working with henna art since she was 7 years old. She put pieces of adhesive tape in intricate designs on Goldner's feet before applying the henna ink in the open spaces. Doumbia had given Goldner a book of patterns from which to choose.
“It's like choosing your hairdo or hair color … like a manicure and pedicure – just another way to be beautiful,” Goldner said. The ink washes off after about a month.
Doumbia, 23, has been working with henna art since she was 7 years old. She put pieces of adhesive tape in intricate designs on Goldner's feet before applying the henna ink in the open spaces. Doumbia had given Goldner a book of patterns from which to choose.
“It's like choosing your hairdo or hair color … like a manicure and pedicure – just another way to be beautiful,” Goldner said. The ink washes off after about a month.
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