Esra Azizi

Mariwan — Henna art is an ancient tradition practiced by women for centuries, symbolizing beauty, joy, and cultural identity. From weddings to private celebrations, women adorn their hands and feet with traditional designs that tell stories of love, life, and struggle.

Zrebar, the enchanting lake in Mariwan, eastern Kurdistan, is not just a tourist destination but a living part of local life, a stage where women like Mahnaz Namdari narrate stories of challenge and creativity, transforming the space into one for breaking boundaries and creating art.

Mahnaz Namdari stands behind her table, carefully preparing her tools; colors and brushes ready to decorate children’s faces and apply henna on women’s hands. She says, “I work in children’s makeup and have participated in training courses in Tehran and Mariwan. Previously, these services were unavailable here, and no one paid attention to children’s birthdays or celebrations, while this art was widespread in major cities.”

She looks enthusiastically at the children gathered around the table and adds, “I have been working in Zrebar for four years, creating children’s makeup and designing henna patterns for women. I am the only woman here in this artistic field. At first, many people were unfamiliar and curious, but soon it gained their admiration and became part of their celebrations and special occasions.

Holding her brush and beginning to color a little girl’s hand, Mahnaz Namdari said, “I started drawing henna about a year ago because I love the art of tattooing. But tattoos are permanent and can become boring over time, whereas henna is temporary and gives me the freedom to experiment and create anew, which drew me to it.”

Mahnaz sees working in Zrebar, despite the surrounding natural beauty, as not without challenges. “Every profession has its difficulties, but it’s more complicated for women in a male-dominated environment like Zrebar. It wasn’t easy to start here, but I accepted the challenge with passion and patience. Today, people are more receptive and encouraging of what I offer.”

She examines the henna patterns and explains, “Sometimes we create symbols that evoke beautiful memories and are greatly appreciated by women. The designs that have adorned women’s hands and faces over time have a wide audience. I reinterpret them in henna with my own artistic style. These patterns embody life, love, struggle, and other profound values especially meaningful for women.”

She added, “Through my art, I’ve brought new color and fragrance to Zrebar. Children waiting for their makeup, women coming for henna, and the beauty we contribute to the place are all signs of women’s active participation and ability to earn a living. Zrebar can become a vibrant economic and artistic space for women

Henna art is not limited to decoration; it is a means of self-expression and strengthening women’s collective identity, connecting them to their roots in a male-dominated society. By reviving these designs in Zrebar, Mahnaz Namdari not only brings joy and beauty to the space but also helps preserve women’s cultural heritage and introduces new generations to its artistic and symbolic values.