Olga Engelhardt & Kree Arvanitas Khidab the Yemeni Waterproof Gall Ink for Body Painting Design and Use
2 Khidab is the yemeni variant of black waterproof gallink for bodypainting. It is used often instead of henna, but sometimes also in combination, to decorate hands and arms, back, decolleté as well as legs and feet with extended tendril-like patterns. Gallinks were already used with the development of writing in advanced antique civilisations. Sanaa', today the capital of Yemen, is considered one of the oldest city states in the world. It can therefore be assumed that bodypainting with khidab is of pre-islamic origin. However, nothing in the arabesque ornaments indicates this, as they were only developed in their wide floral or abstract variety as a consequence of the islamic commandment not to portray living beings. Khidab is won through pyrolysis. Copper dioxyde gives the ink its dark blue-black colour. Hanne Schönig has described composition and production in detail in the leaflet: Yemeni Women s Body Painting with Black Gall Ink (khidab): Production Methods 2
3 Instructions This picture shows everything that you need to successfully paint with khidab. Here is the list of ingredients: Gall Ink Stone khidab Mortar & Pestle (to reduce the stone to powder; can use bottle or rolling pin) Perfume or Eau de Cologne (any kind -- a few drops can be added. Adding perfume has two advantages: (a) it gives the ink a nice scent; and (b) it allows you to keep the thick ink from drying out prematurely) Application tools such as: sticks; needles (blunt tip, not for puncturing skin); and/or set of brushes in smallest sizes Salted Water Preparation 3
4 Khidab, die jemenitische Galltinte für Körperbemalung: Anwendung und Design Tissue for wiping up spills or mistakes Talcum Powder (is dusted on shortly after the khidab painting is dry) Cup, shot glass or small bottle Optional Supplies: Surgical gloves Vaseline or Oil (such as olive, almond, sesame, etc.) Steps: Grind the khidab with the mortar into a fine powder. This can be done with a mortar and pestle, or it can be done with a bottle or rolling pin between paper, similar to the way one grinds almonds for paste. 4
5 When the fragments of stone are ground into a fine powder, put the powder into the mixing container, a cup or small bottle. Warm water up (approximately 1/3 of a shot glass or 10-12 ml. of water) and add approximately 1 teaspoon or more of ordinary table salt, and stir until the water has absorbed as much salt as it can hold. There may be some salt residue in the bottom. Add drops of salted water slowly into the khidab powder until it becomes inky. The ink should be left to sit for 5-10 which will thicken it. The texture should be viscous, and not runny. 5
6 In order not to stain your fingers while painting, it is recommended to wear surgical gloves. Any drip onto clothing will stain immediately and irreparably! On an inconspicuous spot of your forearm, place a dot of ink and observe if it runs or spreads. If it does, let it sit for a few more minutes. Conversely, if the ink is too thick, add water one drop at a time until the ink no longer spreads on the skin. Using the tissue with a bit of perfume, you can use it to remove the khidab test, as well as any mistakes made during painting. 6
7 Start with clean and dry skin. When you have finished painting the khidab on the skin, wait until it dries. The sheen of the paint will change from shiny and wet to dull and dry. At this point you may gently pat Vaseline, olive or other oil over the design before dusting, but this is optional The addition of Vaseline and powder is common in Yemen because it is believed that sweating promotes the binding of the ink to the skin so it will last longer. Dust the area with plenty of talcum powder when you are sure the paint is dry. This will keep the design sharp and prevent future blurring or spreading. After dusting, you may wrap and cover the designs with fabric for 1-3 hours. After three hours it is permissible to rinse the talcum powder off with water, but it is preferable to wait as long as you can before exposing it to soap. Once the khidab has dried out, it is no longer useable. Remixing it will not succeed. Therefore, it is preferable to mix tiny amounts as it is needed. You may mix the khidab, put it in a small, airtight container, and save it for several hours, using a few drops of perfume to thin it out if necessary. 7