SASO Hosts Fundraiser To Share Culture, Provide a Space for All

Henna done by UMD student and Bark contributor Autumn Bestgen. Photo by Anna Martinka

Late this October, for the fifth time since 2022, UMD’s South Asian Student Organization hosted a Henna/Mehndi Fundraiser. The event spanned over three nights and provided those who paid a small fee with Henna designs done by volunteers. SASO wants to simultaneously spread culture and create a safe and open space for everyone through opportunities such as its events.

Despite Henna and similar traditions being mostly practiced within certain cultures, the SASO wants to emphasize that events such as this are open to individuals of all backgrounds and identities. 

“It’s a space for everyone,” SASO President and one of the organization’s founding members Haley Patel said. “You’re always welcome.”

Henna, also known as Mehndi, has been a common and passed down practice throughout African, Middle Eastern, and especially South Asian countries and cultures. Today, Henna, a paste that will stain the skin for a short period, is applied in designs and is often used during celebrations such as weddings. 

Patel also shared that Henna is tied to her and many other members of the organization’s cultural experiences, values, traditions, and family. One of her and the organization’s goals is to spread that culture and traditions such as Mehndi to not only the UMD community but the overall Duluth community as well.

This year, due to fees, SASO was unable to fundraise for an outside charity, as they had done in the past. Last year, they donated the proceeds from this event to the Aarti Foundation for Girls, an Indian women’s and children’s foundation. This year, they decided to raise money to be able to host future events and for the organization as a whole.

In the near future, the SASO will be hosting many general meetings, Desi Night on Nov. 2, as well as a movie night on Nov. 26. And as the organization stresses: all are welcome.