The Laredo Morning Times

Another World Science school's lesson features henna tattoos

By CLAY REDDICK
LAREDO MORNING TIMES

Dozens of Martin Health Science Magnet students went home with new tattoos Thursday.

Parents need not be worried - the students were learning about henna art from longtime math teacher Kamel Shrek.

Henna, a dye made from dried leaves, is common throughout northern Africa and western and southern Asia but is only now making its way into the United States. It is used to make temporary skin decorations for weddings and other ceremonies.

Shrek first taught his students how to use henna last year. They expressed interest when he showed a picture of his niece decorated with the dye.

"It's very easy but extremely messy," said Maria Chapa, a senior who was in Shrek's class last year. She came by Thursday to help out.

The students also did research projects on henna, learning about its medicinal uses in addition to its cultural function. It is used to relieve bruises, burns, athlete's foot and headaches.

Chapa said she was most interested in the way people incorporate henna into their culture.

"It's woven very intricately into their lives," Chapa said.

Shrek, who has lived in Laredo since 1981 but is originally from Libya, let students into his classroom at lunchtime and spent the hour writing students names on them in Arabic, so they could trace it over in henna.

"It's nice to have a teacher that talks to you about their culture," said Auxi Rincon, another senior who was in his class last year.

The activity also takes their minds off work during a week of testing, Shrek said.

Plus it spreads tolerance and cultural understanding when other students see the designs and ask about it, he said.

Shrek's room was packed Thursday with students painting each other's arms and hands. Last year, it was only Shrek's class of 20 students.

Word gets around, the teacher said.

The students learned how to mix and prepare the dye, which can be found at H-E-B. They squeezed the dye out of tubes like putting icing on a cake.

At first they don't know how to use it, but it's actually pretty easy, Shrek said.

"They came up with good designs," Shrek said. "Some of them are very creative."

Shrek sent the students home with bags of henna and instructions so they could explore on their own.

(Clay Reddick may be reached at 728-2582 or by e-mail at clay@lmtonline.com.)

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