In a traditional Turkish wedding custom, kına gecesi is the ceremony before the wedding when henna is applied to the bride’s hands.
Kına gecesi literally means “henna night.” It is usually held shortly before the wedding and is traditionally associated with women from the bride’s family and community. Henna is placed on the bride’s palms, often while songs are sung and candles are carried. The gathering combines celebration with an emotional farewell as the bride prepares to leave her family home.
The ceremony has ancient roots in the broader henna traditions of the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. In Turkey, the event can include regional costumes, special songs, and symbolic clothing, while contemporary celebrations may be organized as large parties.
Kına gecesi is not the Turkish wedding itself; the main celebration is called a düğün. The spelling may also appear without Turkish diacritics as kina gecesi.