Palestinians married to traditional wedding dresses
Palestinians are launching initiatives to keep the henna dress, and its link to Palestinian identity and heritage, alive around the world.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — Dima Ahmad from Ramallah got engaged in 2014. Her mother is now preparing the henna dress that she embroidered by hand for her daughter so that it is ready before her wedding day in August. This is a custom among Palestinians in the central and southern areas of the West Bank.
The Palestinian dress has a special significance, as immigrant Palestinians maintain their customs by wearing it on the Henna Night.
Palestinian weddings last for two days. The first day is known as the Henna Night, during which two separate parties are held for the bride and groom. The groom’s family then goes to the bride’s family home with henna, and the groom’s mother paints henna on the bride’s face. The bride wears the henna dress on this night.
The official wedding ceremony occurs on the second day. The bride wears a white dress, and the groom’s female relatives wear embroidered dresses.
