Sudan’s Henna Industry Threatened by War, Drought and Water Shortages
Henna artists and farmers in Sudan’s River Nile state warn that war, drought and erratic water supply are endangering the crop that underpins bridal customs and local incomes.
Inside a salon in Al-Damer, Najwa Mubarak applies traditional henna designs for brides, a practice she describes as both a passion and a livelihood. Just outside the town, farmer Abdallah Mohammed watches his henna shrubs wilt under irregular water deliveries, a problem worsened by war-damaged irrigation infrastructure and an El Niño-induced drought that left rainfall up to 30 % below average. Sudan, once a leading African producer of the dye, exported it worldwide, but the conflict has forced many traders to ship through Egypt as routes via Chad close.
Environmental activist El-Rasheed Ali Mahdy stresses the crop’s economic importance, while factory owner Mohamed Ramadan recalls pre-war export volumes. Despite the challenges, salon owner Omnia El-Sayed remains confident that henna will survive as a cultural staple.
Why it matters
The decline of Sudan’s henna crop threatens cultural traditions and the livelihoods of millions dependent on agriculture.
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