Diwali in Trinidad and Tobago highlights a variety of cultural traditions and experiences where everyone, regardless of race or creed, comes together to observe the light over the darkness.
With traditions such as Divali Nagar, cultural programs and cuisine taking center stage, another popular and growing trend is gaining everyone’s attention – the art of henna, better known as Mehendi.
But what exactly is henna?
Henna (Lawsonia inermis) is a plant-based dye created from the henna tree, also known as Egyptian private and mignonette tree. The leaves of the henna plant contain a natural coloring pigment used for temporary body art, hair color, nails (instead of nail polish) and fabrics such as leather, wool and silk.
Cycle news spoke with henna artist and owner of ‘Henna Trinidad’ Risa Raghunanan-Mohammed, who has been doing henna professionally for the past 14 years.
Risa told us that she was introduced to henna by her high school art teacher and started practicing with her classmates. Since then, she continued to practice with family members and friends.
According to her, henna has been used in Ancient Egypt as well as other tropical regions including North America, South Asia, the Arabian Peninsula and parts of Africa for decades. The trend also spread across India and locally here in Trinidad as well.
She further explained that henna is widely used on special occasions such as weddings, religious festivals and birthdays.
Photo courtesy of Henna Trinidad
“The most popular tradition is the Mehndi Night where the bride, her family and friends celebrate together using different mehndi (henna) designs.
Asked what led her to create ‘Henna Trinidad’ – a business where you can find almost anything related to art, Risa explained that based on her observations and experiences, she felt there was a need for the product to be more accessible. at the local level.
“In 2009 it was clear that Trinidad & Tobago possessed little or no resources for henna artists locally, or even regionally. Importing products from the US was a tedious and expensive task, so I started buying products from reputable American suppliers and selling in Trinidad.
“This was a business that never existed locally or regionally and few or no quality products or supplies were available. I built a business from the ground up, risking everything and quitting my full-time job in 2013 to pursue my passion full-time,” she added.
Owner of Trinidad Henna- Risa Raghunanan-Mohammed
Risa then started trading with suppliers from India and Pakistan and fostered excellent trade relations with these countries. It has now built solid trade relations with countries/areas such as Nigeria, Morocco, India, Pakistan, China and South America.
“It became less expensive to import directly from suppliers and manufacturers and retailers to local henna artists at an affordable price. Quality products and supplies became readily available to artists who were unable to shop online or had no credit card or skybox available to them,” she said.
In 2010, Risa started trading in Divali Nagar under her business name “Henna Trinidad” and invited other henna artists to join her at her booth to gain exposure and experience, grow business and grow their clientele in a popular, affordable and convenient medium. .
Photo courtesy of Henna Trinidad
In 2012, she became the first internationally certified natural henna artist in the country and subsequently in the Caribbean.
Shortly after receiving this certification, she began a nationwide mission to teach others about the benefits of natural henna products and to sensitize the public about the dangers of “black henna” and commercial henna cones, using social media platforms and attending local events, shopping. , and fairs and educating the public by providing them with data and information summarized in a readable brochure and posters.
Risa said that to date she has trained over 200 artists locally and regionally, with COSTAATT employing her in her professional capacity.
She also continues to spread the word, through her platforms, about henna’s many uses, such as a chemical-free option for coloring and conditioning hair and scalp, as well as treating scalp and hair conditions.
“We offer products for naturalist and natural hair care activists who use only 100 percent organic hair and skin products and have a wide range of Ayurvedic powders found nowhere else in the country but at Henna Trinidad.”
Risa has also launched a program that encourages unity among henna artists in the country in the form of an event called ‘Sip N Henna’.
“This event aims to educate the public about the benefits of using natural henna and bring the henna community together in one place to connect, network, share ideas, tips and tricks and boost morale in the henna community. .”
Risa says she will continue to help anyone willing to learn and grow in the art of henna.
“You can build something out of nothing and do wonders once you fearlessly continue to follow your dream.”
