The Henna Dress Ceremony

The Henna ceremony is a distinctively North African custom, though it is also celebrated by other Sephardic communities. A festive meal is offered by the family of the bride-to-be, who makes a spectacular entrance in her lavish Berberisca dress to the backdrop of traditional Sephardic melodies and dancing. The bride-to-be’s mother and mother-in-law take their place by her side on a throne known as the Talamone, where they adorn her with jewelry and place a tiny amount of henna on her palm. At that point the henna bowl makes its way around the hall, as guests apply it to their hands as well. Traditional Sephardic music is in full swing as the dancing continues.

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