02-09-2005

Pakistani Mehndi Art Makes its Mark in US

via www.dailysouthtown.com

This was no ordinary pedicure or spa procedure she was having done. It was the ancient art of henna tattooing — sometimes known as Mehndi — in which a natural dye is used to decorate the skin with intricate designs. “It’s very popular in my home,” said owner Muhammad Aslam, a native of Pakistan. “And it’s becoming popular here. “It’s part of Pakistani and Indian culture,” he said. “But a lot of Americans like them, too.” The henna used in the tattoos comes from a small shrub known as howsona inermis…