Belly Henna
Hands in Bloom
Belly Henna
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$50 an hour
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Pictured belly designs take 1-1.5 hours approx
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Includes home visit
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Design collaboration with mum
What is a Belly Blessing?
Also known as a Blessing Way, Mother's Blessing and Birth Blessing. This is a pre-birth ceremony traditionally performed by the Navajo (Native American Tribe) which recognises a woman's rite of passage into motherhood
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What is the purpose of a Belly Blessing?
The purpose is to nurture, adorn and love the expectant mother with positive and empowering energies. This ceremony celebrates motherhood and the women guests are able to share their stories and dissolve any fears. The mother will be left feeling uplifted, strong, and confident about the impending birth. This ceremony offers a mother- centred alternative to the traditional baby shower which has become rather commercialised.
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What happens at a Belly Blessing?
The expectant mother's closest girlfriends and family sit in a circle of strength and sharing.
Bead Ceremony- guests bring a bead for the mother. These are made into a necklace for her to wear during labour as a reminder of her support.
Cord Ceremony- a cord is wrapped around one hand of all in the circle and once all are linked, each woman cuts and ties the string onto her hand. This is left on until the baby is born. It symbolises the umbilical cord.
Henna- mother's belly and guests are adorned with henna. There are many henna traditions for expectant mums.
Prayer or poem
Wash mothers feet and brush her hair
Crown of flowers for the mother
Share food and friendship
What are some other antenatal henna traditions?
In Rajasthan, in the 8th month of pregnancy the woman has a Athawansa ceremony where she is covered with scented oil, given fruit and sweets, dressed in new clothing and has henna applied to her hands and feet
In Morocco, women are hennaed throughout pregnancy so that when they go into labour they are like a hennaed bride.
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For more information:
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The functions of childbirth and postpartum henna traditions
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