A friend of mine was kind enough to send me some pictures of a Tunisian pre-wedding henna party she attended in honour of her sister-in-law who was married this past week.

North African Jews have kept their traditions, and one of them is to have a henna party prior to the wedding. Depending on what your family or country traditions are, the henna party is either a week or the night before the wedding. Also, it is either a women’s only party or friends and family are invited.

This party was attended by males and females and was more than a week before the wedding. It was held at a large event’s hall.

 

They had a meal and then afterwards, the bride’s mother put the henna on the hand of the bride and groom as well as those of her family and friends. The henna symbolizes fertility and protects the bride and her family against the evil eye.

 

The brides mother and other family members made trays of traditional biscuits and sweetmeats to give to the guests as a parting gift.

The guests presented the bride and groom with gifts of gold and other items.

 

 

 

Food is always plentiful at the henna celebration, and both men and women dance, sing and eat into the early hours of the morning.