Henna Cafe Marrakech

Star of the Terrace @ henna cafe!

Sarah — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:33:59 +0000

Hey!

My Name is Prince Terry, and I am the celebrated resident of the terrace at the Henna Cafe.

My presence is considered by the humans here as essential as I bring luck and Happiness.

I have a worldwide fan club of those who have met me when visiting for drinks, henna, meals or lessons….. I even have my own posts on trip advisor!

So don’t forget to pop up and say Hi next time you are passing the henna cafe…..

Henna cafe are delighted to announce a masterclass with Nic Cartier and Rebecca Freedner.

Sarah — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 10:59:15 +0000

We could not be more excited to welcome Henna experts Nic and Rebecca to Marrakech.

Following a wonderful session with Nic and Riffat last year , we are again offering master classes in Henna application free of charge to local Ladies.

If you want to get some worldclass henna by two of the finest exponants of the artform while Nic and Rebecca are in town please e mail us to make a booking.

Nic and Rebbeca are in Marrakech from the 12 th of April…….don’t miss the chance to meet them and to enjoy beautiful henna from beautiful people.

see you all there!

Henna Café Welcomes International Henna Artist Michelle Koopmans

will — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 19:46:54 +0000

The Henna Café Marrakech last week welcomed renowned international henna artist Michelle Koopmans as it’s guest for a day of inspiration, skill sharing and innovative henna art.

Michelle is the founder of HennaVibes.co.uk, based in Dartford, UK and gained her unique skills from local women around the cities and villages of India while living there.

During her visit to the Henna café she shared her fresh designs with visiting guests and conducted a henna masterclass for up and coming artists as well as introducing the Henna Café resident artist Fatima to some contemporary techniques. The day proved a huge success as Michelle demonstrated her great competence with henna cones, creative designs and warming aura.

On behalf of the Henna Café Marrakech, we would like to thank Michelle for her generous offerings and support in progressing the Henna Café project in its work to deliver beautiful safe henna tattoos in Marrakech and in educating local Moroccan women in the upmost safe and professional practice.

Henna Vibes Facebook

Hennavibes.co.uk

The Dangers of Black Henna

will — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 18:29:57 +0000

Like a bee sting or poison ivy, black henna can be a toxic substance that the human skin is not designed to receive and so reacts negatively towards with itchiness, blistering and can scar permanently. This harmful tattoo technique should be avoided at all costs.

This black henna is produced containing the chemical Para-phenylenediamine (PPD), voted Allergen of the year in 2006 by the American contact dermatitis society, is used commercially as a black hair dye. Skin application of this however is illegal due to its unapproved use and dangerous side effects but this practice unfortunately still continues throughout the world.

As an example of its dangers, the application of PPD in dying hair is done so with extreme precaution, avoiding the scalp and with the use of special gloves but with the unfortunate result of some professionals having to quit due to such extreme reactions. This chemical however is used in undiulited form as ‘black henna’ in Morocco and other henning countries.

Only coming out in a rash after 3 days or more, many unassuming holiday makers wanting a decorative lasting memory of their visit suffer these negative effects once they have left the country.

Substituted as a cheap alternative to natural red/ brown henna and preferred by some negligent or uneducated artists due to its much darker black stain on the skin (pictured: left), resembling a needled ink tattoo, black henna is unfortunately commonly found. Some professionals, including the Henna Café, are taking a stand and working around educating and so eradicating this harmful counter beauty treatment, offering quality safe henna.

Embracing the beauty of natural organic red henna (pictured: right), when applied and cared for correctly, leaves you with a rich earthy stain that lasts between 1 and 4 weeks.

To make your natural henna the best, darkest and most long lasting it can be is most effectively achieved by leaving the paste on for a minimum of 6 hours, keeping it from cold weather, avoiding water for the first 24 hours, and regularly applying essentials oils such as tea tree or olive.

The Henna Café works with local Moroccan women to thaw this negative relationship with unsafe henna, informing them of these dangers to their clients plus themselves. Natural organic safe henna is donated to these women and slowly it is hoped that harmful practice will be outlawed, to be replaced by a love of the intricate beauty that can be achieved by this ecological and pure body art form.

Welcome to Henna Cafe Marrakech

Sarah — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 20:36:54 +0000

Warmest welcome to the Henna Café

Mission of The Henna Café Project Offering free education to local residents of Marrarkech alongside a unique traditional Moroccan experience for those visiting the city,

the Henna Café is a cultural center in the native heart of the Marrakech Medina providing professional clean Henna tattoos and wonderfully traditional food provided by local women with 100% of profits going to those in need in Marrakech.

The Henna Café charity was set up June 2011 by four UK business people who wanted to give back to Morocco and Marrakech.

As Riad owners and professional henna artists, they came up with the concept of the Henna Café.

Professional Henna Salon
The Henna Café employs local top henna artisan women to run our professional riad friendly henna salon. Supplied with a henna menu of donated designs from top world henna artists, all henna used is safe, clean and organic brown henna. Guests are given a personal aftercare service, which includes a protective mitten/ sock, lemon and sugar sealing, and conversation regarding getting the best out of their henna stain.

Unique Café
Aloft the roof terrace is a café, a space of tranquility and zen with quality local food designed around that eaten by the native population and cooked by Marrakshi women with a range of nomadic specials populated by in-season delights.

Education
Learn some local language in our daily drop in Darija classes or attend our hennaing workshops (suggested donation 20Dm).
These sit alongside the free language and employment skills classes provided and attended by the native population.
Visit us at Hennacafemarakech.com, facebook ‘Hennacafe Marrakech’ or contact the education manager Mohamed on +212 (0) 656566374 W

Souikat Market – A traditional Moroccan Experience

will — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 21:03:00 +0000

Unchanged for years and still filled with traditional butchers of creatures great and small, fruit and vegetable stalls and humble street sellers lining the pavements, Souikat Market is a wonderful non touristic experience and the location of the inspirational Henna Cafe.

Located in the north west of the Marrakech medina is this traditional Moroccan market street drawing Marrakshi people from around the medina due to its roots in what local people remember as the real Morocco. A slow 30 minute stoll or fast 10 minute dash, this market street begins at the Dar el Basha palace and stretches along one street (route Sidi Abdelaziz) to Bab (gate) Doukkala.

Visiting streets such as, when looking for things to do in Marrakech, reminds you of the hospitable and humble nature of the Moroccan population and be assured your money will be well spent and not overspent were you wanting a freshly slaughtered cockerel, wonderfully inexpensive pastry or simply a standard but hugely versatile tajine pot.

Include a stop at the Henna Cafe to taste the delights of local seasonal food or don your limbs with world class, professional henna tattoo.

Secret Spiced Coffee – a Culinary Education @ the Henna Cafe

will — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:28:41 +0000

In keeping with the local cultural experience offered at the Henna Café, seasonal food and drinks are sought and served from all around the Medina to our visitors.

Given to the café by an eccentric local grocery shop owner in a plastic carrier bag (pictured), on offer currently is traditional Moroccan spiced coffee, which consists of 7 spices selected to give a warming feeling during the winter months enjoyed by those across all Morocco.

Morocccan spiced coffee is a drink that is seasoned to individuals taste but most prodominently made with muscat, pepper, ginger, kanella, anise, cezame and gervien khodonjelle.

Local seasonal food based on that which is enjoyed in peoples homes all over the country is what the Henna Café is passionate about and which allows visitors a special experience of what Marrakshi Medina life consists of while being able to support the education of many local people in need.

Try your hand at local Moroccan cuisine with classes at the Henna Cafe. For further details visit us at hennacafemarrakech.com.

Henna Café at London’s Earls Court 2013

will — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:02:06 +0000

The Henna Café was presented to over 50,000 inspired connoisseur travellers last week as it took a principal place in London Earls Court’s Destinations 2013 the holiday and travel show .

The Café founders were on site in addition to the projects current volunteers who stimulated the Moroccan travel heartstrings of passers by imparting the projects aims in Marrakech of education, charity and beautiful safe henna tatoos.

The Henna in London was performed by one of the Cafés artisans and embraced by many in ‘fashionable London’ during the four day event, raising awareness of the issues facing those in Marrakech plus the benefits of quality henna body art.

We would like to thank all that were involved in this event plus the Café volunteer teachers that make the project able to be the beacon of life and culture that it is and will always strive to be.

A wonderful video about henna featuring Riffat

Sarah — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 21:32:09 +0000

Supporting Good Henna and Education at the Henna Cafe – Kristy McCurry from Hennatrails.com

will — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 21:19:57 +0000

With humble and bohemian beginnings but a passion for natural and beautiful art from various different scenes, the eclectic henna artist Kristy McCurry, founder of Henna Trails, has been providing purely natural henna for the Chico, California area since 2009.

Promoting quality henna within the community and beyond, Kristy McCurry has donated the Henna Cafe some of her work (pictured) for us to use in our vision of offering beautiful, natural and safe henna in Morocco coupled with expanding peoples minds through our free education projects for local people.

http://hennatrails.com/

http://www.facebook.com/hennatrails

Introducing the artists and team of Henna Cafe

will — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 19:00:16 +0000

Here at the Henna Cafe, we pride ourselves on offering an outstanding welcoming experience for guests wanting to have a cultural taste of local life, with beautiful henna tattoos, traditional seasonal food and an inspiring education in the heart of Marrakshi Marrakech. Aside from our volunteer teachers who are so vital to the project, you will find us here daily offering guests a truly memorable cultural experience of Marrakech.

- Introducing our passionate henna team and inspiriring educationalists of the Henna Cafe -

Fatima – Nquasha (artist)

Fatima is our resident henna artist who lives just outside of Marrakech. She has been practicing Henna for 26 years and although not speaking much English, offers beautiful traditional henna art alongside passionately prepared food that comes with a humble warming smile and love of her job

She specialises in Baledi (traditional Moroccan), Khaliji (Oriental) and Khatfa (specific design style involving one bold line with smaller lines coming off it)

Houda – Nquasha (artist)

Houda is a Marrakshi college student who has been practicing henna art for 5 years. With a track stopping smile and an infectious laugh, Houda is an upcoming artist with very novel and beautiful ideas.

With a love of flowers and floral designs, Houda specialises in Sbola (design based on the wheat plant) and Laarsh (the branch of a tree with leaves attached)

Mohamed - Manager/ teacher

Mohamed has been working in the Marrakshi charity sector for 8 years and in his spare time runs a clothing scheme for those in need around Morocco. With a passion for hats and excellent guest experience, he warmly welcomes you to enjoy the delights of the Henna Cafe

Adil - Assistant Manager/ teacher

Adil has been involved in a number of charity projects throughout his life. A teacher and Masters student of Psycho Linguistics at the university of Marrakech, he thoroughly enjoys to host and partake in any Noam Chomsky conversations that strike up.

Terry – Tortoise

Not one to shy away from henna and an active lover of Gnawa, Terry is a familiar resident of the roof terrace at the Henna Cafe. At 2 years old, he regularly parades around admiring the variety of interesting shoes that don the beautiful sunny surface alof the Henna Cafe.

Ariane – European Henna Lover

Representing l’hexagone (France), Ariane has a history steeped in warmth and welcoming which radiates from her and is felt by all those that meet her. As assistant manager of a wonderful small hotel in London until moving to Marrakech, she has the French bite but the passion that comes along with it.

Will - European lover of henna

The British contingent is in Marrakech as a break from studying back in the UK who has a passion for people, culture and all things wondrously fascinating. He welcomes you all to this most beautiful city.

Teacher Training Inspiring the Passionate at the Henna Cafe

will — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 23:47:52 +0000

In keeping with the Henna Café’s aim of empowering the local people of Marrkech throught education, skills and employability, the good and people at Fulbridge.com have been providing free teacher training workshops for a number of months inspirationally with a huge amount of success.

Run once a month for the past few months and continuing into the future to come, top teacher trainers from the British council have given up their time to train promising young students to teach English language in a well thought out and practical course that has led to many of them finding teacher jobs and resulting in the education of numerous others.

The founders of Fulbridge.com Julianne and Michael, base their education around strong principles of integrity, quality and respect and offer a wide range of professional courses to benefit those wanting to gain from the highly hospitable culture of Morocco.

Thank you for your selfless work with the Henna Café and its students and may this vital work continue. Keep in touch at Hennacafemarrakech.com and Facebook for upcoming classes.

Education Timetable – January 2013 – الجدول الزمني

will — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 20:36:40 +0000

- الاثنين