Moroccan ladies desperate to paint henna designs on foreigners' hands and feet seem to be everywhere in the Medina, with the biggest concentration in el Djemaa el Fna.
There are two types: natural brown henna and a chemical dye known as black henna. The latter lasts longer, but it is dangerous, as it can cause bad skin reactions and even cancer.
The henna artists in Djemaa el Fna usually operate in groups of three and can sometimes forcibly grab a foreigner's hand and start squirting henna on it. Try to avoid them. If you want a henna design, get chatting to people in the souks and ask them to recommend someone. They will then fetch a traditional henna artist, who will charge far less then the ones in the square.
Updated Jan 23, 2011
So for my last two trips I have gone back to the same lady, she charges what equals only about £5.00, and does a very good henna tatoo. I'd advise you to wait and have it done at the end of your holiday.
Some people will tell you the henna is black, but later that evening when the henna falls off you will soon realise that it is weal brown henna and will mark your hand for a couple of days max....it might last for two swimming pool dips, and doesn't look very nice on your hand!
However the lady I found is lovely! This year, I looked for her and eventually found her, I arranged for my hotel to write her a letter in Arabic. She couldn't read but people on Stall 22 read it to her, she was really pleased because the letter was praising her work and told her how pleased I was last year.
Myblack henna tatoo lasted approx 30 days, you have to be careful with black henna, it can be very powerful and damage/burn your skin. However this ladies work is very good.
Written Sep 29, 2005
"Henna ladies" (as I like to call them) are ubiquitous in Morocco. Often they will aggressively grab your hand in an effort to start the hennaing process before you can say "no" or strike a price. I found that the best way to deal with this is to have your hands hennaed at the very first opportunity (either back home or when you first land in Morocco). When a Henna Lady grabs your hand and sees that someone has beaten her to you, she'll back off immediatel ... it's easier than saying no over & over again.
Updated Jan 5, 2004
1 - 3 of 3
Sponsored Links
Riad Aguerzame Marrakesh
2 Reviews and 144 Opinions Situé dans la médina de Marrakech, près du palais Moulay Idriss, le Riad Aguerzame, entièrement...
Riad Kniza Marrakesh
2 Reviews and 576 Opinions Beautifully decorated room, cozy aura, clean bathroom, delicious food and warmhearted staff. I got...
La Maison Arabe Marrakesh
4 Reviews and 253 Opinions This riad is consider the oldest- may be the fiart- and best riad in Marrakech. Hoever. it is a bet...
Henna Ladies tips and photos posted by real travelers and Marrakesh locals.
Write a Review
"Henna ladies" (as I like to call them) are ubiquitous in Morocco. Often they will aggressively grab your hand in an effort to start the hennaing process before...
69 members live in Marrakesh
Q: Hi I am arriving in Marrakech via train from Cassablanca on the 24th August. I am a single women arriving at around 6pm. Will...

A: I can't comment on safety for single women in Marrakech (I'm neither single nor a women), but I had a few taxi trips. Marrakech has two types of taxi - small cars that...
Read 7 Replies
1
Winter and Summer in Marrakesh

Wow! what can I say about this fascinating city that will do it justice? Marrakesh had long been on my top 10 places to see list. So looking for somewhere special to celebrate my Birthday, I decided...
2
Marrakech - Incredible but exhausting!

Marrakech is a crazy city. Noisy, dusty, busy and smelly, it is an exhausting place to visit! I loved it. Well, most of it. I spent 4 nights there with my sister Alison. She suggested that we stay......
3

I've got some interesting experiences in Marrakesh. I'd love to share with you the 60 tips I've written, the 242 photos uploaded, and 7 travelogues I've created.
4

Marrakesh is known as the "Red City" Marrakesh is the capital of the south of Morocco. The ambiance here is very different than other Imperial cities like Fez, Rabat or Meknes. This city is something...
5

We came to Marrakesh with high expectations. The city had been on our “wish-list” for some years, and as this was the first holiday of any length that we had been able to take together for over a...
Build your own Marrakesh page
Sponsored Links