First Moon Henna
What is a First Moon (Menarche) Ceremony?
It is a ritual celebration that recognises a young woman’s coming of age after her first menstrual
period. It signifies a girl becoming a woman and adult. This time deserves recognition just as
marriage and having a baby are celebrated and mark transitions in a woman's life. A First Moon
(menarche) blessing makes this time more meaningful for the girl and her mother. It is a time for
close women to gather and give love, comfort and support to the new woman, letting her know that her feelings have been shared by women throughout time. It can be celebrated by anyone
regardless of your cultural and religious background
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Candles
The girl puts her feet in a dish of clean sand to make footprints. Then each woman lights a candle,
gives a blessing to the new woman and places it on the sand. This represents the woman’s journey on Mother Earth.
Archway
The girl stands with a toy and the guests make an archway with their arms. A woman calls
"Who approaches this passage?" It is time for you to leave behind childhood and become a member of the circle of women. When you are ready, leave your toys, and walk through the arch." The new
woman puts down her toy and walks through.Then the women cheer and give kisses and hugs to
the new woman.
Threshold
There is a red ribbon on the floor and the women are on one side and the girls on the other. After the above dialogue the girl steps over the ribbon, from childhood to womanhood.
Henna Adornment
Henna is a red, feminine, transformative ritual. After the rituals the girl will be adorned with henna, a flower garland and receive gifts.
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How do other cultures celebrate this time?
Apache (Native American)
Girls participate in a 4 day Sunrise ceremony. They run in 4 directions and through song, dance and rituals they re-enact the Apache myth of the first woman. She is known as the White Painted Woman. The girls
gain physical and spiritual power as they connect to her and embrace their womanhood. More info
Navajo (Native American)
Kinaalda Caeremony More info
Maori
This was a time of honour and bonding between the women in a girl’s family. The blood represented the matrilineal connections and continuation of whakapapa. This time included sacred washing of
clothes and the return of blood back to the earth. New women received an adult name, moko kauae, were taught different arts and given different responsibilities. More info
Tamil Indian and Malaysia
In a Ruthu Sadangu Ceremony the girl is bathed by relatives, kept in isolation, fed rich foods. After isolation she is given gifts and is allowed to wear a sari as this symbolises womanhood.More info
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