Here are a few articles and books I have found in my own research, all lined up in a nice, neat little list. Dig in to learn more about the old and new customs surrounding henna. Henna is traditionally used in wedding ceremonies, so read these selections to find out some very interesting facts about other culture's rituals. You will also discover many original and beautiful designs. All should be available at your local bookstores and/or libraries.
Batra, Sumita. The Art of Mehndi. New York: Penguin Putnam, 1999.
Beukel, Dorine van den. Traditional Mehndi Designs: a Treasury of Henna Body Art. Massachusetts: Shambhala Publications, Inc., 2000.
Combs-Schilling, M.E. Sacred Performances: Islam, Sexuality and Sacrifice. New York: Columbia University, 1989.
Croutier, Alev Lytle. Harem: the World behind the Veil. New York: Abbeville Press, 1989.
English, Karen. Nadia’s Hands. Pennsylvania: Boyds Mill Press, 1999.
Fabius, Carine. Mehndi, the Art of Henna Body Painting. New York: Three Rivers Press, 1998.
Fluehr-Loban, Carolyn. Islamic Society in Practice. Gainesville: University of Florida Press, 1994.
Gorfain, Phyllis, Deborah Kapchan, Katharine Young. “Inscribed Surfaces: Bodies on Film.” Journal of American Folklore. Vol. 109, No. 431. 1996.
Groning, Karl. Body Decoration. New York: The Vendome Press, 1998.
Jain, Chakresh. “Lure of Mehndi.” Arts of Asia. Vol. 14, No. 6. 1984.
Kuhne, Sabine. Henna Painting. London: Aurum Press, 2000.
Marron, Aileen. The Henna Body Art Book. Massachusetts: Journey Editions, 1998.
Messina, Maria. “Henna Party.” Natural History. Vol. 97, No. 9. 1988.
Nichols, Pamela. The Art of Henna. California: Healthy Planet Products, 1999.
Range, Peter Ross. “Oman.” National Geographic, May 1995.
Roome, Loretta. Mehndi, the Timeless Art of Henna Painting. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1998.
Saksena, Jogendra. Art of Rajasthan. Dehli: Shundeep Prakashan, 1979.
Sherr, Leslie H. “Henna Mania.” Print. May/June 2000. 62-67.
Smith, Mark. Henna Body Art. New York: Barnes & Noble, 1999.
Weinberg, Norma Pasekoff. Henna from Head to Toe. Vermont: Storey Books, 1999.
Wilcox, Faith Mellen. In Morocco. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc., 1971.
Wilkan, Unni. Behind the Veil in Arabia: Women in Oman. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1982.
