TURKISH BATH (HAMAM - HAMMAM)
TODAY FROM THE PAST
The bath, also known as hamam or hammam, is one of the ancient world's most widely exported traditions. The tradition of the bath was born generations ago, adopted from Romans and Byzantines and then perfected by the Seljuk and Ottoman Turks and has continued even until today.
THE CULTURE OF BATH IN ANCIENT TIMES
The tradition of bath culture has displayed itself in many different countries.But Romans and Turks proved themselves with their unique baths architecture.
ROMANS
Romans having considerably a rich culture contributed significantly to the bath style. Covered 13 hectare field, Caracalla bath displayed the magnificent aesthetic talent of Romans. Once upon a time, there was the subways under that famous bath. Towels were moved by car /chariot upon those subways in order to be washed. Also the firing materials used to heat the bath were moved by car from the subway to firebox. Except for that, Romans used various bod butters,smells and wax for their skin.
The bath, also known as hamam or hammam, is one of the ancient world's most widely exported traditions. The tradition of the bath was born generations ago, adopted from Romans and Byzantines and then perfected by the Seljuk and Ottoman Turks and has continued even until today.
THE CULTURE OF BATH IN ANCIENT TIMES
The tradition of bath culture has displayed itself in many different countries.But Romans and Turks proved themselves with their unique baths architecture.
ROMANS
Romans having considerably a rich culture contributed significantly to the bath style. Covered 13 hectare field, Caracalla bath displayed the magnificent aesthetic talent of Romans. Once upon a time, there was the subways under that famous bath. Towels were moved by car /chariot upon those subways in order to be washed. Also the firing materials used to heat the bath were moved by car from the subway to firebox. Except for that, Romans used various bod butters,smells and wax for their skin.
TURKISH BATH AFTER OTTOMAN PERIOD
The Turkish bath is one of the first names evoked in the people’s mind when it is said ‘’Ottoman’’ and ‘’Turk’’. The tradition of bath dated back ‘’Romans Era’’ is taken a significant place in Turkish culture because it reflects the importance of cleaning for Turks, especially after their acceptance of islam. To go to the hammam/bath is a kind of ritual for Turkish public because it symbolizes the clean and the purity.
The Turkish bath is one of the first names evoked in the people’s mind when it is said ‘’Ottoman’’ and ‘’Turk’’. The tradition of bath dated back ‘’Romans Era’’ is taken a significant place in Turkish culture because it reflects the importance of cleaning for Turks, especially after their acceptance of islam. To go to the hammam/bath is a kind of ritual for Turkish public because it symbolizes the clean and the purity.
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Except for the clean and the purity, it also reflects the entertainment. Maybe therefore there are many kinds of hammam organizations to fun such as Bride Hammam, Groom Hammam, Offering Hammam and Company Hammam.
As it is seen that there are many traditions about Turkish bath for example; today, the tradition of the bride and groom bath has still continue. Before the wedding, the bride and her friends go to the Turkish bath and take a shower by making a ceremony according to their traditions and customs. Also they dance accompanied by music and bring the traditional foods here like Turkish sarma, baklava, cake… TRANSFORMATION OF TURKISH BATH At the beginning, working as a different kind of bath, Turkish Hammam then began to change and created its own tradition. When it was added the word ‘’hammam’’which means a place taken a shower, the name of Turkish bath was turned into Turkish hammam. The main public hamam is Cemberlitas Hammam built by genius architect Sinan by the order of Sultana Nurbanu (the mother of Ottoman Sultan Murat III) in 1584.After that the number of hammams began to increase.At the end of the 16th century. It is estimated that there are located 300 public hammams and approximately 4536 special hammams in just Istanbul. |
Painting of ladies gathering in Turkish Bath.At present day, ladies cover their body with light towel (Pestemal) from lower neck to the knees.
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TURKISH BATH AND ITS FEATURES
The features of Turkish bath consist of three separate parts.
The features of Turkish bath consist of three separate parts.
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CHANGING ROOM
It is found the huge sofa (a sitting place) seperated the parts to rest the people after the shower in the changing room. In order to use Turkish Bath facilities, you need to wear a light towel called pestemal. Ladies cover their bodies with this towel from lower neck until the knees. Males cover same towel for under belly until the knees. |
FIREBOX
It is a central heating location under the hammam. Flames and smoke rising from the fire specially penetrate inside of the walls and get out from the chimney named' tuteklik' in Turkish.On the oven of firebox is located the hot water boiler and the cold water storage.A few canals on the bottom of that oven lie under the central message platform in turkish bath. |
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BATHING PLACE
Before and after taking a bath, the people uses that place.It is seperated three parts. Firstly, Kurna basi (named in turkish) is a place everybody commonly having a bath. Secondly, halvet is a special cabin that only one-man can privately use.It is also divided into two parts named the cold halvet (away from the firebox) and hot halvet(on the firebox). |
At last, navel stone is the central message platform with various geometric figures. Except for those features, hammams are generally single-sex, with men and women separate bathhouses or bathing times.When they come into the hammam,they wear towel or pestamel (bath wrapper) and eleborate Ottoman period platform shoes(nalins)made of wood,with intricate patterns of inlaid mother of pearl. Also hammam is good for health; it helps people to be relax and to scrub away their dead skin loosened by ambient humidity and sweat.
Content Author : Ebrar OKÇU
Page Editor : Mustafa Gökhan BULUT
Published : 11 July 2014
Page Editor : Mustafa Gökhan BULUT
Published : 11 July 2014