Cheikh Omar Diallo, the goldsmith of hands August 28, 2026

Originally from Kolda and based at the Hlm 5 market for more than ten years, Cheikh Omar Diallo, alias “Maechel”, has gradually established himself as one of the pioneers of henna with a pen, commonly called “bic bi”. Starting from small services provided to market customers, he transformed his passion for drawing into an income-generating activity.

In his forties, of average height, Cheikh Omar Diallo is today a well-known figure among regulars at the Hlm 5 market in Dakar. Originally from Kolda, he has been practicing there for more than ten years and has specialized in a particular practice, henna with a pen, commonly called “bic bi”. In the beginning, however, the reality was very different. Arriving at the market with few resources, Cheikh Omar Diallo helped customers carry their luggage. In return, he received some coins. A situation which gradually pushed him to look for another activity. “Over the years, I’ve thought about doing something other than reaching out for crumbs. I took my destiny in hand before launching myself as a henna pen provider,” he explains. Always passionate about drawing, he decided to put his talent to good use by reproducing patterns inspired by traditional henna on his hands and feet. But unlike classic henna, this technique does not require henna powder. The designs are made using a pen and ink similar in color to henna.

Spirals, geometric shapes and different decorative motifs gradually take shape under his fingers. If his talent seems natural to him, the beginnings were not easy. Some customers did not hesitate to make comments to him on the models offered. However, these critiques allowed him to perfect his skills and improve his creations over time. Today, its space is always full, particularly as major religious festivals like Korité and Tabaski approach. Its reputation even goes beyond the limits of the market. Women and young ladies use its home services, particularly for weddings and baptisms. Over time, Cheikh Omar Diallo has also diversified his services. In addition to henna pen, he now offers manicure and pedicure services, expanding his clientele and revenue streams. Financially, the activity seems rather profitable. According to him, daily revenues can vary between 10,000 and 50,000 FCfa during ordinary days. “During major holidays, they can exceed 100,000 FCFA, not counting home services, which are subject to different pricing,” he said. For Cheikh Omar Diallo, this profession represents much more than a simple commercial activity. It allowed him to carry out several personal and family projects. “It’s an exciting activity that pays well. It was thanks to the savings that I was able to take a wife who stayed in the village. I also baptized my children thanks to the income from henna,” he confides. Today, his ambition is to finalize the construction of his house. A project for which he still relies on income from his activity.

Despite these advances, Cheikh Omar Diallo deplores the difficulties linked to the work space. According to him, providers do not have a large place in the market to properly accommodate a large number of clients. A situation which limits, in his eyes, the possibilities for development of this activity which has become, over the years, a real source of income for service providers.

By Maguette Guèye DIÉDHIOU