A quiet childhood moment photographed inside a small shop in Harar, Ethiopia, where delicate traces of henna reflect the region’s African and Islamic traditions.
In a small shop hidden among the colourful streets of Harar, I came across a quiet scene that seemed to contain the whole character of the city. Surrounded by sacks of grain and shelves filled with everyday goods, two children watched me with a mixture of curiosity and caution.
What caught my attention were the delicate traces of henna on the older girl’s hands. In Harar and across the wider culture of the Horn of Africa, henna is much more than decoration. It is associated with joy, beauty, family celebrations and religious traditions, while its patterns are often passed from one generation to another.
For a brief moment, the noise of the market disappeared. There was only her calm gaze, her hands held close together and a story that needed no words. I pressed the shutter before the moment slipped quietly back into the rhythm of Harar.
- Date
- 2026-01-01