Living Behind the Veil

I'm often asked what I wear in Afghanistan and what it's like to wear a veil. It's freedom. Freedom to have a bad hair day, freedom to arrange my chadar to conceal the curve of my breasts and backside, freedom to not be an expatriate for a little while. It means freedom to hide even on the street from the Afghan men's eyes which seem to strip me naked.
When I relax my shoulders and walk less purposefully, less confidently, my eyes downcast and covered by sunglasses, I pass for an Afghan woman. I hear the men whisper in Dari, "Is she a foreigner or local woman?" I chuckle but am silent. On the street, I'm also a free target....freely exposed to groping, sexual innuendos whispered to me as a man bicycles by, free to have stones thrown at me, freely seen as no one's wife, daughter, sister, mother, friend, or boss. I step inside my gate, and remove my chapan and chadar. Now I'm someone's boss, motherhood returns to me as little steps run to greet me, and I receive a kiss from my adoring husband. Now I'm free to his loving and gentle eyes which know and enjoy my curves, free to once again be under the protective umbrella of being a wife, mother, friend, colleague, boss, niece, sister, daughter, woman.

Sunday, September 27, 2020

Henna Bible Story - Every Womans Story



Every Woman's Story - telling the story of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.  

Video: How to make your own Henna cones

This lovely lady does a way better job showing how to make your own henna cones from cellophane paper. 

Video: Mixing up your own Henna paste 

She shows you how to get the right consistency and stir out the lumps. 

So my henna cones are getting better after doing what the henna lady in the videos above suggest. Progress, not perfection!  

I'm starting with mostly the Arabic designs from the hennastories.org website, because I prefer them (ok, and they are easier, too!).

Notes & Drawing: Crucifixion, Burial, & Resurrection - Matt 27, Mark 15, & John 19. 

Youtube Teaching Video:  Telling the Every Woman's Story with Henna

 

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