Henna drums

Through 20th century, henna drums were used by women of North Africa and Middle East. At that time women were used to play frame drums, doumbeks, and riqs (tambourines) in different festivals, parties and weddings. They often patterned their drums’ heads with as they pattern their skin! Those drums were called henna drums.

The drums heads are made of goat skin or leather so applying henna is easy on them. While other paints may damage the skin. Since henna paste is made up of natural ingredients so they are safe to apply on drums. Its color will not interfere sound either. But remember; don’t add essential oils while making your henna paste as they may damage its skin.

The method of applying henna is same as you apply it on your hand. You need an untreated goatskin drum as treated drums will not be able to take the color of henna. You can tell that either drum is natural or treated by touching the skin. If it’s smooth then it’s treated but if it’s rough then it’s untreated.

Make henna paste by mixing henna powder with lemon. Let it set for 6-10 hours. Clean your drum properly before applying henna paste on it.

Before applying henna on drum choose a design. If you want to draw a complex design then it’s better to draw a rough sketch on your drum head (but the pencil marks should not be dark). Apply henna paste as you apply on your skin. Once you complete your design now you can left it for a few days (or may be one week) to dry. After seven day, gently remove the paste with the help of card board or any other thing but it should not be very pointed or sharp as it can damage the drum.

The reddish color under the paste will start to appear and this will be our henna drum.

Henna drums