The henna plant itself originates from Egypt and is now grown throughout India, Pakistan, Morroco and Yemen. While records of its physical trade throughout history exist, visual evidence of henna used as body art with the discovery of ancient mummies with hennaed hair is dated around 5000 years ago. Though commonly associated with the Desi (South Asian) cultures, historically henna body art has also been used in Jewish and Christian culture, as well as through regions of Egypt, Morroco, Yemen, Persia, the Mediterranean and Europe. In recent years the use of henna for body art has now become a truly global interconnected practice – with industry leading professional henna artists working in every continent, coming from all demographics and cultural backgrounds.
Source: Noam Sienna (Henna by Sienna)- Leading Henna Scholar
Map from The Henna Page – by Catherine Cartwright-Jones
Map copyrighted to Catherine Cartwright-Jones as found on The Henna Page.