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Turkish bath culture is probably one of the most exciting and beloved traditions in Turkish culture for many tourists. Turkish "hamam" is an Ottoman variation of the steam bath, which can be thought of as the wet version of a sauna.
The tradition of the Turkish bath extends far back, to a time before Turks had reached Anatolia. When the Turks arrived in Anatolia, they brought with them one bathing tradition, and were confronted with another, that of Romans and the Byzantines, with certain local variants. The traditions merged, and with the addition of the Moslem concern for cleanliness and its concomitant respect for the uses of water, there arose an entirely new concept, that of the Turkish Bath. In time it became an institution, with its system of ineradicable customs.
The Bride & Groom Hamams (Turkish Hamam Museum, Beypazarı, Ankara)
During the Ottoman period, hamams were buildings that included a steamy hot room for steam-soaking and massages, a warm room to get washed with soap and water and a cool room that is used to rest and nap after the bath along with a Turkish coffee. Hamams were not only places where people had a bath, but also centers for people to socialize.
For instance previously, women would go to the hammams to check the single girls out and then tell their sons. Similarly, single girls would go to hammams with their mothers and hang out with their potential mother in laws. All the women would bring traditional cuisine there to enjoy and that would serve as a test for the brides-to-be.
A Turkish “Bride to Be” with Henna Night Dress, Ready for the Bride Hamam (Turkish Hamam Museum, Beypazarı, Ankara)
After the marriage was decided then it was time for the bride hammam. The bride's friends and relatives would come together with musicians and food, dance and eat in the hammam. The bride would be washed three times in the middle to purify before the wedding ceremony. It was also common to take newborn babies to the hammam after 40 days to be washed in the middle. Also, many people would go to the hammam when a wish was fulfilled, or when a promise was kept.
Naturally, there was a range of equipment associated with a hamam visit which might count from 15 to 20 articles in the bundle which a woman brought along with her. Most common items in the bundle would be: A pair of wooden clogs or patens - in Turkish "nalin", the "tas", or bowl for pouring water over the body, soap case, the "kese" (keh-seh)- that rough cloth mitt carried in the soap case, not only scoured the dirt out of the pores, but served to deliver a bracing massage, a small jewellery box, hamam carpet, mirror and a bowl for henna...
A Pair Of Wooden Clogs - Turkish "Nalin" and Other Hamam Equipment (Turkish Hamam Museum, Beypazarı, Ankara)
In the pictures, where i have taken in Turkish Hamam Museum in Beypazarı/Ankara, you can see some of these items and the traditional Turkish bath environment. When traveling to Turkey, a visit to a Turkish bath is among the top things on the to-do list as there are hundreds of hamams of all sizes in cities around the country. So if you are interested i would recommend you to visit especially the historial hamams in İstanbul, which could be a relaxation treatment along with an historical experience.
Lots of Love from Turkey :)
Dilek
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