She Who Lives

She Who Lives

I was born in Windsor, Ontario in the season of winter. My parents named me Aisha, meaning “she who lives” or “Alive”. They named me after Prophet Muhammad’s PBUH wife, Hazrat Aisha R.A. I grew up in Karachi, Pakistan. A city I call home, a city of colors, where every corner of the road smells of sweet mangoes in the summer, and aromas of spices and exquisite food lingers through the streets. Growing up in Pakistan, my parents spelled my name “Ayesha”. I grew up spelling my name “Ayesha” for as long as I could remember until our move to Canada, where I found that my name was originally spelled “Aisha” on my birth certificate. Due to legal requirements, I was compelled to spell my name “Aisha” in Canada. Though, at times, I spelled my name both ways, leaving people confused and giving me a chance to explain the two-spelling story of my name.

My childhood consisted of playing outdoors, adopting the stray kittens of the streets, picking fruits from my neighbor’s house, and visiting my grandparents in hopes of receiving a candy from the hidden stack of jars in the highest cupboard of the room. What stayed with me the most was the excitement of celebrating our religious holiday "Eid". It was the most festive time of the year for the whole country. Cities would be lit with colorful lights, markets would be full of crowds shopping for their special Eid outfit, and girls making a last-minute stop to pick out matching bangles to go with their dresses. What I looked forward to the most every Eid was getting my henna done. Having henna “mehndi” applied all over your hands and palms is a tradition that is practiced for many years for special celebratory occasions in South Asia, Africa, and various Middle Eastern countries. Every year, I waited patiently for the eve of Eid to go to my cousin’s house with my sister where my cousin would adorn our hands with beautiful and intricate henna designs. Feeling obsessed with mandalas, swirls, and the intricate florals, I would stare with my palms in awe and astonishment. I was in love with henna. Henna bonded and connected me to my home, my culture, my Pakistani identity, and my religion. 

After our immigration to Canada from Pakistan, I missed the festivities and my longing to have my henna done for our holiday’s. Having the eagerness to create and my culture rooted in me, I took up learning henna art at the age of 11. With practice and determination, I somewhat mastered the art and opened my henna business at the age of 16. Being able to apply and share my skill of henna art brings me close to my home. It gives me comfort knowing that I can bring a sense of joy and connection to culture and identity for many who have left their home countries to settle in Canada for better futures. My name means “she who lives”, and maybe it's meant for me to help others live as well.