This henna design is typical of the kind worn by Guedra dancers in the Sahara. The Guedra is a ritual dance performed by woman, emphasizing the movement of the hands and feet which are typically accentuated by henna and heavy, intricately carved silver jewelry. The dancer's hands and feel transmit the sacred energy of the earth and of heaven to the spectators. (Design based on an image in "Africa Adorned" by Angela Fisher)

These designs are based on a symbol called the "khamsa" - common not only to the Tuareg, but also Muslim and Jews throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Khamsa is the Arabic word for "five" (the Hebrew word for five is very similar) as in the five fingers of the hand. The hand and also any item shown five times are symbols of protection against the evil eye.

The above designs (as well as the image below) are taken from Tuareg bracelets (see page of Tuareg bracelets for other examples) from Niger and Mauritania. The recurrent element in these examples are circles and diamonds, both of which represent the eye and are said to protect the wearer from the evil eye.

The designs above are taken from "tcherot" which are talisman boxes (see more examples in this site), usually made of silver, copper and/or brass, and contain a slip of paper on which is written verse from the Qur'an or a magic formula written by a Holy Man (faqir). They are worn on leather thongs around the neck and sometimes are attached to the turban. The chased designs which ornament them further protect the wearer from evil. Mothers pass them on to their daughters, fathers to their sons.