khidab, the yemeni waterproof gall ink for body painting ... · olga engelhardt & kree...

Olga Engelhardt & Kree Arvanitas

Khidabthe Yemeni Waterproof

Gall Ink for Body Painting

Design and Use

Khidab is the yemeni variant of black waterproof gallink forbodypainting. It is used often instead of henna, but sometimes also incombination, to decorate hands and arms, back, decolleté as well aslegs and feet with extended tendril-like patterns.

Gallinks were already used with the development of writing in advancedantique civilisations. Sanaa', today the capital of Yemen, is consideredone of the oldest city states in the world. It can therefore be assumedthat bodypainting with khidab is of pre-islamic origin. However, nothingin the arabesque ornaments indicates this, as they were only developedin their wide floral or abstract variety as a consequence of the islamiccommandment not to portray living beings.

Khidab is won through pyrolysis. Copper dioxyde gives the ink its darkblue-black colour. Hanne Schönig has described composition andproduction in detail in the leaflet: Yemeni Women’s Body Painting withBlack Gall Ink (khidab): Production Methods

by Dr. Olga Engelhardt & Kree Arvanitas for www.HennaTribe.com

Khidab, the Yemeni Waterproof Gall Ink for Body Painting: Design and Use

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Instructions

This picture shows everything that you need to successfully paint withkhidab. Here is the list of ingredients:• Gall Ink Stone khidab• Mortar & Pestle (to reduce the stone to powder; can use bottle orrolling pin)• Perfume or Eau de Cologne (any kind -- a few drops can be added.Adding perfume has two advantages: (a) it gives the ink a nice scent;and (b) it allows you to keep the thick ink from drying out prematurely)• Application tools such as: sticks; needles (blunt tip, not for puncturingskin); and/or set of brushes in smallest sizes• Salted Water Preparation


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• Tissue for wiping up spills or mistakes• Talcum Powder (is dusted on shortly after the khidab painting is dry)• Cup, shot glass or small bottle

Optional Supplies:• Surgical gloves• Vaseline or Oil (such as olive, almond, sesame, etc.)

Steps:

Grind the khidab with the mortar into a fine powder. This can be donewith a mortar and pestle, or it can be done with a bottle or rolling pinbetween paper, similar to the way one grinds almonds for paste.

Khidab, die jemenitische Galltinte für Körperbemalung: Anwendung und Design

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When the fragments of stone are ground into a fine powder, put thepowder into the mixing container, a cup or small bottle.

Warm water up (approximately 1/3 of a shot glass or 10-12 ml. ofwater) and add approximately 1 teaspoon or more of ordinary tablesalt, and stir until the water has absorbed as much salt as it can hold.There may be some salt residue in the bottom.

Add drops of salted water slowly into the khidab powder until itbecomes inky. The ink should be left to sit for 5-10 which will thickenit. The texture should be viscous, and not runny.


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In order not to stain your fingers while painting, it is recommended towear surgical gloves. Any drip onto clothing will stain immediatelyand irreparably!

On an inconspicuous spot of your forearm, place a dot of ink andobserve if it runs or spreads. If it does, let it sit for a few more minutes. Conversely, if the ink is too thick, add water one drop at a time untilthe ink no longer spreads on the skin. Using the tissue with a bit ofperfume, you can use it to remove the khidab test, as well as anymistakes made during painting.


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Start with clean and dry skin. When you have finished painting thekhidab on the skin, wait until it dries. The sheen of the paint willchange from shiny and wet to dull and dry. At this point you maygently pat Vaseline, olive or other oil over the design before dusting,but this is optional The addition of Vaseline and powder is commonin Yemen because it is believed that sweating promotes the binding ofthe ink to the skin so it will last longer. Dust the area with plenty oftalcum powder when you are sure the paint is dry. This will keepthe design sharp and prevent future blurring or spreading. After dusting,you may wrap and cover the designs with fabric for 1-3 hours. Afterthree hours it is permissible to rinse the talcum powder off with water,but it is preferable to wait as long as you can before exposing it to soap.

Once the khidab has dried out, it is no longer useable. Remixing itwill not succeed. Therefore, it is preferable to mix tiny amounts as itis needed. You may mix the khidab, put it in a small, airtight container,and save it for several hours, using a few drops of perfume to thin itout if necessary.


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khidab, the yemeni waterproof gall ink for body painting ... · olga engelhardt & kree...

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