Rowshan Ali

Rowshan is from the Middle East and is of Kurdish ethnicity. She came to Lincoln with her family in 1999. Rowshan loves helping people and works as a family advocate at a community organization that helps low-income and refugee families. As well as working full-time she is also taking classes at Southeast Community College and is perusing a career in photography. She has been using Henna since she was a young girl and loves applying the paste in different designs. Her culture uses henna paste for celebrations such as weddings and the Eid (a religious festival celebrated by Muslims). Rowshan said, "When I use henna paste, the smell reminds me of many wonderful memories of celebrations at weddings and the Eid."
The use of henna started thousands of years ago in India and was used as a body adornment for the kings and queens. The Middle Eastern style consisted mostly of floral patterns inspired by Arabic carvings, paintings and textiles. The North American style accentuated the shape of the feet and hands using geometric floral patterns. The Indian and Pakistani designs extend beyond the hands and feet to create the illusion of gloves and stockings, made up of intricate, repetitive paisley patterns, lines and teardrops. Henna is also found in hair products, perfumes, and also can be used for medicinal purposes. Henna paste has become a popular art practice all over the world known for its temporary and beautiful color.