Khamsa fi 'ayneq
This Moroccan spell can be literally translated to 5 on your eyes and is related to the protective powers that are, in folk belief, attributed to a Hand of Fatima amulet. Learn everything I know about this amulet that goes under different names such as khmissa or tafoust and find out why this knowledge is relevant for your Henna Art.
Knowledge, meanings and symbolism
My love for the amulet is inseparable from my love for henna. Both were activated when I was a child. I received my first henna ritual at the age of 4 and my first golden khmisa at 6. And when I heard it was called a Hand of Fatima it immediately became my thing. No wonder that I run my business under this name, after all I’m Fatima and I adorn hands. I found out that all the things I learnt about this topic throughout the years are very valuable and significant for other (henna) artists. In this course I combine knowledge about the origins, meanings and symbolism with hands on practice on how to draw a khmissa that is aesthetically appealing to the eye. I have not found any other source online that offers that same thing at once.
What will I learn?
You will learn everything I know about the Moroccan Khmissa a.k.a. the Hand of Fatima. Think of cultural background, history, symbolism, meanings and its significance in Moroccan Culture. You will learn how this amulet is related to henna and how it can be applied in your henna designs. You learn the steps to create a khmisa in henna from scratch while maintaining the proper balance. Your eyes will become trained to notice any imbalance sooner in order to maintain the right aesthetics.
~ FREE BONUS ~
Yeah! Get yourself a Hand of Fatima original. Receive this digital Art Work "Follow your Henna Heart" as a free downloadable file. If you want to make the most out of it, make sure to get it professionally printed on A4 or Letter size. I suggest you let it be done on art paper to maintain the high quality. Made with love by yours truly ofcourse.
What to expect and understand
My approach to Henna Art and its cultural Heritage is always holistic. I do believe that its value can only truly be understood when we take the rich kaleidoscope of different aspects into consideration. In this course that means that we do not only focus on the technical drawing skills and how to incooperate those design in your own work but we also look at the history, cultural background of khmisa. As always I take you on a exciting journey through space and time.
How will you feel after this class?
You will feel inspired to create more and more khmissa based designs. On top of that your confidence has grown. Whenever your clients request for a khmissa design you will not only be able to draw a technically well balanced khmissa in henna, you will also be very well prepared when your clients ask you about the meanings of this popular symbol.
How to get the most out of this class?
Grab a pen and a piece of paper and make sure to take notes during my presentation.
Be prepared, have hennapaste and syringe or hennacone ready to draw along during the demo video’s.
Make sure you have the time for yourself in order to fully focus on the content. No distractions and no interruptions.
To achieve the best possible result you might need to practice a bit more after the draw along session with me. That fully depends on your level of experience and/or talent, which is different to everybody.
What will I receive?
- Presentation on theory in video
- PDF file
- Demo video's
- Pdf file with excercises
- Free bonus an Hand of Fatima original artwork (A4 or Letter)
FAQ’s
I can just find an image of a Khmissa amulet and I copy that, what’s the point of this class?
What do I need to have ready to be able to take the class?
For how long will the class be accessible after purchase?
I’m new to henna is this for me?
According to my religion, believing in objects for protection is forbidden. Therefore this class makes me uncomfortable, should I take it?
Do you offer refunds?
Is this class for me?
My classes are usually suitable for all levels, it goes the same for this one. That being said it is important to understand that to fully participate in this class you need te be able to make your own hennapaste and be able to use a cone or syringe and have basic henna drawing skills.
Or you could participate while you draw with pencils or pen. In that way the class is even suitable for non henna artists.
- Have you always wondered about the meaning and origine of the protective hand amulet?
- How it is related to Henna Art and Moroccan Culture?
- Why is there often an eye motif added to the patterns that adorn the Khmissa ?
- How to incooperate a Khmissa design into your own Henna work?
- How to draw a technically well balanced Hand of Fatima from scratch?
If you are as fascinated as I am about this subject I eagerly welcome you to join me. This class is most definitely for you!
I'm your teacher
Salam! My name is Fatima Oulad Thami and I am often asked: why did you choose to do henna? But that is not how I see it. I did not choose to do henna, henna chose me. I am merely the instrument, the window, the bridge, medium, whatever you wish to call it, through which the story of Henna Art may be told. Henna is magical. Once it has touched your heart, it digs itself into your soul and will not let you go. The passion for this ancestral art became my way of life.
Why would you learn from me?
Moroccan Henna culture is not only my expertise but also my deepest passion. I have been running my Henna business professionally for 20 + years. In addition to the henna services I offer, I also run a Henna supplies webshop and a Henna academy. I have been asked to teach at the most prominent henna conferences worldwide. I have inspired thousands of women so far to embrace the Moroccan Henna style and acknowledge its value. Now it’s your turn to embrace this meaningful authentic beauty ritual and experience how it will change your life.
National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage
Intangible heritage includes a.o. practices, knowledge and skills that express cultural identity and diversity. I actively propagate and safeguard the practition of Moroccan Henna Art and therefor I ‘m an ambassador of Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2014. Henna Art was added to the National Inventory of Intangible and Cultural Heritage in the Netherlands due to my safeguarding plans. This Inventory charts Intangible Heritage and helps communities and artisans to safeguard their traditions and preserve them for future generations.
The compilation of the National Inventory is one of the obligations the Netherlands undertook to fulfill when the UNESCO Convention for the safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage was ratified.
Happy Henna Habiba's
Any person is lucky to learn from Fatima
Fatima is a focused and organized instructor — I truly appreciate that. She covers a LOT of information in her classes, and she still manages to walk around the class and give individual feedback to her students. She speaks with knowledge and authority but she is sweet and approachable — she's a wonderful teacher!
I loved receiving henna from Fatima! Even at 2am at a busy conference, she was attentive and fun and created a unique and beautiful design for me. In spite of our exhaustion, she was still present and creative.
I love her spirit, her enthusiasm, and her originality — any person is lucky to learn from her or to receive henna from her!
Leah Reddell
- Face Fiësta/Denver Henna -
I love her clear intention and the uncompromising respects for the art of her ancestors
She was teaching on the EastWest henna conference in Hungary and I was sooo looking forward to meet her there in person. During the conference I was lucky to get her henna on my hand. I was fascinated, how she worked with a syringe and could watch her for hours and hours. We have met for the first time and I had the feeling of knowing each other for years already. Love her warm, friendly approach.
On her lecture I finally got an insight into traditional Moroccan henna. I love her clear intention and the uncompromising respects for the art of her ancestors. I got precise information about fessi style, about the meaning of the symbols and the whole concept.
Than I invited her as a guest teacher in my online course and I am not far from the truth when I say, that my students fell in love with her!
Fatima is such a warm, loving and caring person. On the other hand uncompromising bearer of Moroccan henna tradition.
Ivana Švarcová
- Baba Jagua -
She really stands for what she believes in and knows how to pass it on to her students.
The Henna Academy 1.0 was absolute amazing!! Everything I could imagine I wanted to learn about Henna, I did learn! The lessons always were too short. I always got much confidence to do my homework afterwards. The Henna Academy graduation was set up at an extraordinary place with lots of wonderful surprises to make this day extra special.
The studio, is absolutely an amazing place! Lots of colour, Henna-related/Moroccan objects and very comfortable and feeling welcome. Her lovely righthand webshop manager Ilonka does a lot of "side-work" and does it in such a way you feel very welcome. Her tea's and lunches are wonderful! You can also buy all the Henna equipment you need right away. That's very handy.
Fatima is very energizing, creative, skilled, uplifting and understanding. Never in a rush to get through the stuff you need to learn. Her background makes that she really understands how to place Henna Art in the Dutch community. She's the best Henna coach/teacher/artist I can imagine. Her skills are outstanding, the way she teaches is so clear and I got all the information and backgrounds I wanted to know. You can feel that everything she does with Henna and people, gives her a lot of satisfaction. With her warmth everyone gets the attention they need and questions outside the lessons she always answers! So you never get stuck on the exercises.
She is the most colorful person (besides me ;-)) I know and she brings that all to life in her work and lessons. In that way for me she is a Henna goddess. She really stands for what she believes in and knows how to pass it on to her students. I think there is something that makes her special but what exactly that is….? I don't know. I just call it: Henna Charisma!
Thank you for your teachings, creativity, inspiration, bliss and power. I hope to see a lot of new inspirations on Henna from you in the future! God bless you.
Isabella Boon
- Henna Rebelle -
