From Sacred Symbols to Glittering Galas: The Metamorphosis of Egyptian Henna Parties

From Sacred Symbols to Glittering Galas: The Metamorphosis of Egyptian Henna Parties

In Egypt and across the Arab world, henna rituals—once sacred ceremonies imbued with spiritual meaning—have transformed into lavish, high-budget spectacles.  What began millennia ago as symbolic body art to ward off evil spirits has become a display of opulence, where glitter replaces traditional henna, elaborate cakes overshadow customary sweets,  like kahk (festive cookies) and qatayef (stuffed pancakes), and social media trends dictate décor.…