Traditional Patterns from
the
Yoruba People adapted for Henna.
Henna is not widely used among the Yoruba, but
women may scarification patterns on their arms, and the backs of
their hands, in patterns very similar to henna patterns.
The
interlocking knotwork patterns are often used as metaphor for the
Yoruba concept of the world as two distinct yet inseparable realms, Aye
and Orun. Aye is the world of the living, Orun is
the
world of spirits and the afterlife. This is expressed in the
Yoruba
saying, "Aye L'oya, Orun n'ile", "this world is a marketplace we
visit, the otherworld is our home".
