A TRADITION FROM MY COUNTRY

Dürdane Özdilek Primary SchoolKocaeli - Turkey

HENNA NIGHT

In Turkey traditional henna night is organised at bride’s house, one night before the wedding

day and close friends and relatives join to this activity.

Before the application of henna, dried fruits and drinks are served to the guests and

this special tray with candles is prepared by the family of the bride.

The bride wears a special dress called ‘bindallı’ and sits on a chair in the middle of the circle made by young women.

One of the young women starts to turn around the bride while singing a special song and the others follow her with candles on their hands.

The henna is applied into the bride’s hand and a piece of gold is given as a gift by the groom.

The bride ties a cloth and wears authentic gloves.She never shows her face till the end of the night.

Then the night goes on with a special song telling that it’s very difficult for a girl to leave her mother and to live far away from her own house.The brides usually cries because getting married is a very important milestone for a girl.

Henna night is an important tradition that continues for hundreds of years and still goes on all around our country.