21 Jun HAMMAM: WHAT IS A TURKISH BATH & WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT IT
If you are hearing the word hammam for the first time then this is the right article for you. Hammam, also known as a Turkish bath, is concluded of different bathing rituals which take place in a public bath. Each part of this ritual has a specific benefit for your body.
Let’s start with the first question and see what the Turkish hammam is!
What is a hammam?
Hamam is a special place that, throughout the centuries, people have used not only for cleaning their entire bodies but also to socialize and build connections. A Turkish bath has different parts, and each is intended for a specific reason. These parts can be listed as the following hammam chambers:
- Entrance hall
- Hot room
- Cooling room
Turkish baths & hammams as we know them today have been influenced by many cultures throughout history, such as Greek, Roman, and even Byzantine. Later came the Islamic influence that today you see as the gender-separated baths. The rise of the Turkish hammam came in the Ottoman Empire that started in the 14th century. These civilizations and their cultures have shaped the hammam’s rich history and contributed to its current form.
All around the world, different cultures have developed their own bathing rituals over the centuries and the place to practice them. From Morocco to Japan, there are unique bath cultures. There are many similarities between each of these practices but is the differences that make them unique.
The most similar of all to a traditional Turkish bath is the Moroccan hammam. But when it comes to the difference between a Turkish bath and a Moroccan bath, we see that there are notable distinctions.
Unlike a Turkish bath, you enter a steam room, and then you will get a scrub down with a special black soap that is made out of olive oil and olive paste. There is usually whole body massage with argan oil or olive oil, which will leave you with softer skin. Moroccan hammam comes with its own traditions and culture as well. Moroccan women sometimes sing and dance in the hammam, which can be a totally different experience.
Now moving on to the far east.
With its own sets of rules and traditions, a Korean jimjibang is way different than what you think. There are gender-separated parts in the whole bathhouse but also communal space that both men and women can enjoy.
First, you undress and enter a place with bathtubs that contain different temperatures of water so you can choose which one to use. You can also use a sauna. After your skin is soft enough, it is time for the scrubbing. You would lie fully nude on a massage table and get your treatment. When you are clean, you will receive clean clothes from the staff and enter a communal space where you can continue unwinding and get snacks.
Since Korean jimjibangs are open 24/7, you can stay as long as you want. There are sleeping rooms where people can sleep as well.
What makes Japanese onsen one of a kind is the fact that onsen means “hot spring” in English. Onsens are built around hot springs, and part of the practice is to relax in the hot spring. Before entering the hot spring, you will have to undress. There are showers there so you can wash yourself to not contaminate the hot spring. You will need to rinse yourself whenever you want to enter another bath as well.
Hammam is not just about getting your body cleaned. The combination of getting your entire naked body cleaned and having time to unwind and connect with other people while getting pampered has many benefits. Here are some of the hammam benefits:
- Muscle relaxation
- Body detoxification
- Better blood flow
- Improve immune system
- Improve skin texture
- Decrease stress
When you first enter the hot room in the hammam, the heat and steam help relax your body and muscles. Being in the hot room opens up your pores and helps your body sweat and get rid of toxins. The heat also promotes better blood flow because your blood vessels expand, which in turn will help your immune system.
Moving on from the hot room, you enter the main chamber of the hamam for your complete body scrub. Not only the scrubbing helps with blood flow, but it also removes dead skin, and you will end up with softer skin.
Lastly, after the hammam ritual, which includes whole-body exfoliating and a bubble massage, it is hard not to feel relaxed while sipping Turkish tea and having snacks.
What to expect & what to know beforehand
To have a better hammam experience, it is good to know what you will be dealing with. To prepare for your hammam experience, you can start by taking a light shower so your body is clean and ready. Shaving and grooming are optional but do check with the establishment that you are going to.
You do not usually need to take shampoo, towels, slippers, and soap with you because most establishments provide you with them. But just in case, you can take them with you.
You are going to a public bath, so it is good to know it involves some nudity, but it is also important to remember to be modest and respectful. There is another hammam etiquette to consider as well, such as interaction with attendants and guests.
Your step-by-step hammam journey
Going to a public hammam might not seem too appealing at first, but we can assure you it is better than you think. With modern hammams offering a wide variety of services such as deep tissue massage and aromatherapy, there is so much to enjoy from this traditional spa experience.
In this part of the article, we are going to walk you through each step of a Turkish hammam experience to paint you a better picture.
You enter the check-in area, where you will turn in your phone for safekeeping.
You will go to the lockers and changing area. You will undress and wear single-use underwear or just wrap your Turkish bath towel around you.
The beginning of your Turkish bath experience.
It starts with the hot room where the hot steam and heat help your body relax and your skin pores open to start sweating and get rid of toxins in your body. After spending 15 to 20 minutes in this room, you move on to the main chamber of the Turkish hammam, which is domed and has an elevated slab of marble that is heated. As you lay on the heated marble, the respective attendant starts scrubbing your body with an exfoliating glove.
When your attendant is done scrubbing all the dead skin from your body, they will rinse you with some hot water. Now it is time for a bubble bath. Not the bubble bath, you think. Your bath attendant covers you with mountains of bubbles and cleans your body. At last, with a splash of cold water to close your skin pores, you can move on or stay in the main chamber if you want. This traditional hammam treatment can take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes.
Depending on what additional services you ask for, it can take longer, maybe up to 2 hours. The last part would be going to the cool-down room to regroup and continue relaxing while having some snacks, fresh fruits, and Turkish tea.
Well sure, after reading all about hammam, you want to know if it is worth it. We say it is! Money-wise and otherwise. With the variety of services and Turkish hamams to choose from, you can find something that tickles your fancy without breaking the bank. Prices vary based on the hamam you go to and the kind of service you are getting. Your Turkish Hamam experience can cost you anywhere from $30 to $100. With that said, here we have provided you with some specifics about the services and packages as part of a traditional Turkish bath.
|Traditional Turkish bath
|$30 – $100
Hammam in Istanbul
One of the major cities that you have to visit in Turkey is Istanbul, and what better way to experience Turkish culture than going to a Turkish bathhouse? You can find historic hammams all around Istanbul if you are interested in having an authentic Turkish hammam experience. Don’t worry, Istanbul has something for everyone, and Turkish baths & Hammams are no exception either. With more tourists visiting Istanbul every year, it is no wonder why there are so many hammams & Turkish baths options. Make sure to give Turkish Bath & Hammam a chance to blow your mind in the best way possible.
Frequently asked questions about hammam
We have gathered the most common questions asked about Turkish baths and other components of a traditional Turkish bath that could be helpful to you in having a great experience when visiting a Turkish bathhouse. Take your time to go through these questions; the answers could be really helpful.
How often should I visit a hammam?
There are no limits to how many times you can visit a hammam. Also, it is not necessary to go to a hammam either. But here is what we can tell you since going to a Turkish Hammam includes being scrubbed, it might be a good idea to avoid overdoing it because it can hurt your skin in the long run. Too much exfoliation can make your skin sensitive and more prone to getting dry. So if you are planning a regular visit to a Turkish hammam spa, make it once a week.
Do I need to make a reservation to visit a hammam?
Usually yes. This depends on the type of establishment you are visiting. Tourist hammams can get quite busy, so booking a time slot for yourself sounds like a great idea. But with more local hammams, a walk-in would be generally fine, and you would not need to wait for a long time.
How long does a typical hammam experience last?
Normally a typical hammam experience last anywhere from 40 to 60 minutes. You can stay longer if you like, and if you ask for additional services, it will take longer.
Are there any age restrictions for visiting a hammam?
Yes! Children under the age of 12 are not allowed inside a hammam since it could be dangerous to their well-being. Also, relaxation and children do not really mix.
What is the difference between a public and a private hammam?
Gender separation. One of the most important aspects of a Turkish hammam is that it is separated based on gender. This stands true in public baths all around Turkey. But private hammams are new additions to the Turkish Bath & Hammam culture providing the traditional hammam experience for couples, especially Western tourists.
How do I know if a hammam is authentic and traditional?
All establishments around Turkey, especially Istanbul, try their best to provide you with the most authentic hammam experience ever. But if you want to be able to tell if a hammam is authentic, here are the indicators. There is a public bathing area with an elevated slab of marble in the middle, and around it, you will see basins made out of marble which people can use to rinse themselves. Other than the scrubbing and foam bath, additional massages are newer items added to the authentic treatment.
Can I bring my children to a hammam?
No, you can’t. No children under the age of 12 are allowed in hammams. This is due to the health and safety of the children. Also, a hammam is a place of peace, and children are not really the most peaceful beings; therefore, it is best not to bring them in a hammam.
Are there any time restrictions for visiting a hammam?
No, but it depends. Generally speaking, there is no time limitation when it comes to how long you can stay in the hammam. But if you are visiting a fairly busy establishment, there could be time restrictions for example, you are only allowed to stay an hour extra after you are done with your hammam experience.
"Hama ni jina la kituruki la ""Hama"" na ni jina la kituruki la ""Hama"" na ni jina la kituruki la ""Hama"" na ni jina la kituruki la ""Hama"" na ni jina la kituruki la ""Hama"" na ni jina la kituruki la ""Hama"" na ""Hama"" ni jina la kituruki la ""Hama"" na ""Hama"" ni jina la kituruki." Hammam, pia inajulikana kama kuoga Kituruki, ni kumalizika ya ibada tofauti za kuoga ambazo hufanyika katika kuoga umma. Kila sehemu ya desturi hii ina faida maalum kwa mwili wako. Hebu kuanza na swali la kwanza na kuona nini Hammam Kituruki ni! Hammam ni nini? Hamam ni mahali pa pekee ambapo watu wametumia kwa karne nyingi si tu kusafisha miili yao, bali pia kuwasiliana na kujenga uhusiano. Bafu ya Kituruki ina sehemu tofauti-tofauti, na kila moja inakusudiwa kwa sababu fulani hususa. Sehemu hizi zinaweza kuorodheshwa kama vyumba vifuatavyo vya hammam: ukumbi wa kuingia, chumba cha joto, chumba cha baridi, bafu za Kituruki na hammam kama tunavyozijua leo zimeathiriwa na tamaduni nyingi katika historia, kama vile Kigiriki, Kirumi, na hata Byzantium. Baadaye uvutano wa Kiislamu ulikuja ambao leo unaona kama bafu zilizotenganishwa kwa jinsia. Hamam ya Uturuki ilianzishwa katika karne ya 14 na ilijengwa katika karne ya 14 na Ottoman. Ustaarabu huo na tamaduni zao zimefanyiza historia tajiri ya hammam na kuchangia umbo lake la sasa. Katika tamaduni mbalimbali za ulimwengu, watu wamekuwa na desturi za kuoga kwa muda mrefu. Kutoka Morocco hadi Japani, kuna tamaduni za kuogelea za kipekee. Kuna mambo mengi yanayofanana kati ya kila moja ya mazoea haya lakini ni tofauti ambazo zinawafanya wawe wa kipekee. Mto unaofanana zaidi na bafu ya kitamaduni ya Kituruki ni hammam ya Moroko. Lakini wakati wa kuamua ni nini cha kufurahisha zaidi, kuna tofauti kubwa kati ya kuoga kwa Kituruki na kuoga kwa Morocco. Katika sauna ya Uturuki, unaweza kugeuka kuwa mchawi na kugeuka kuwa mchawi kwa kutumia sabuni ya rangi nyeusi iliyoundwa na mafuta ya zeituni. Kwa kawaida, kuna mazoezi ya kuosha mwili wote kwa kutumia mafuta ya argan au ya mzeituni, ambayo yatakufanya uwe na ngozi laini. Hammam ya Moroko huja na desturi na utamaduni wake mwenyewe pia. Wanawake wa Morocco wakati mwingine huimba na kucheza dansi katika hammam, ambayo inaweza kuwa uzoefu tofauti kabisa. Sasa twende upande wa mashariki. Kwa kuwa Korea ina sheria na desturi tofauti, jimjiba ni tofauti sana na jinsi unavyofikiri. Kuna sehemu zilizotenganishwa kwa jinsia katika nyumba nzima ya kuogelea lakini pia nafasi ya pamoja ambayo wanaume na wanawake wanaweza kufurahia. Kwanza, unavua nguo na kuingia mahali ambapo kuna mitungi yenye maji yenye joto tofauti-tofauti ili uweze kuchagua moja utakayotumia. Unaweza pia kutumia sauna. Baada ya ngozi yako kuwa laini, ni wakati wa kuosha. Unapokuwa uchi kwenye meza ya kuosha mwili, unaweza kupata matibabu. Wakati wewe ni safi, utapokea nguo safi kutoka kwa wafanyakazi na kuingia katika nafasi ya pamoja ambapo unaweza kuendelea unwinding na kupata vitafunio. Kwa kuwa Jibang ya Korea inafungua siku zote, unaweza kukaa muda mrefu kama unavyotaka. Kuna vyumba vya kulala ambapo watu wanaweza kulala pia. Kilichofanya onsen ya Kijapani kuwa ya kipekee ni ukweli kwamba onsen inamaanisha "mashimo ya joto" katika Kiingereza. Onsen hujengwa karibu na chemchemi za maji moto, na sehemu ya zoea hilo ni kupumzika katika chemchemi hiyo ya maji moto. Kabla ya kuingia kwenye chemchemi hiyo moto, utalazimika kuvalia nguo. Kuna viboreshaji vya maji ya maji ya maji ya maji ya maji ya maji ya maji ya maji ya maji ya maji ya maji ya maji ya maji ya maji ya maji ya maji ya maji ya maji ya maji ya maji ya maji ya maji ya maji ya maji ya maji ya maji ya maji. Unahitaji kuosha kila wakati unapotaka kuingia kwenye bafu nyingine pia. Hamam si tu kuhusu kupata mwili wako kusafishwa. Kuondoa mwili wako wote uchi na kuwa na wakati wa kupumzika na kuungana na watu wengine wakati wa kupendwa kuna faida nyingi. Hizi ni baadhi ya faida za kuoga: - Kupumzika kwa misuli - Kuondoa sumu kutoka mwilini - Mtiririko bora wa damu - Kuboresha mfumo wa kinga - Kuboresha muundo wa ngozi - Kupunguza mkazo - Wakati wa kwanza kuingia katika chumba cha joto katika kuoga, joto na mvuke husaidia kupumzika mwili wako na misuli. Kuwa katika chumba cha joto hufungua pores yako na kusaidia mwili wako jasho na kuondoa sumu. Joto pia huongeza mtiririko wa damu kwa sababu mishipa yako ya damu huongezeka, na hilo husaidia mfumo wako wa kinga. Baada ya kuhamia kwenye chumba cha joto, huingia katika chumba kikuu cha hamam ili kuosha mwili wako wote. Si tu kwamba kuna usaidizi wa damu, lakini pia huondoa ngozi iliyokufa na kufanya ngozi yako iwe laini. Baada ya ibada ya hammam, ambayo inajumuisha kuondoa ngozi ya mwili wote na kutikisa mviringo, ni vigumu kutokuwa na hisia ya kupumzika wakati wa kunywa chai ya Kituruki na kula vitafunio. Nini cha kutarajia na nini cha kujua kabla ya kupata uzoefu bora wa hammam, ni vizuri kujua nini utakuwa ukishughulika nacho. Ili kuandaa uzoefu wako wa kuogelea, unaweza kuanza kwa kuoga kidogo ili mwili wako uwe safi na tayari. Kunyoa na kutunza ni hiari lakini angalia na taasisi ambayo unakwenda. Kwa kawaida huhitaji kuchukua shampoo, taulo, viatu, na sabuni kwa sababu maduka mengi hukupa. Lakini kwa usalama, unaweza kuwachukua pamoja nawe. Ikiwa unaenda kwenye bafu ya umma, ni vizuri kujua kwamba kuna baadhi ya uchi, lakini pia ni muhimu kukumbuka kuwa na kiasi na heshima. Kuna adabu nyingine ya kuoga katika hema ya kuogelea inayopaswa kuzingatiwa pia, kama vile mwingiliano na wahudumu na wageni. Safari ya Hamam ya Umma: Kuenda kwenye Hamam ya Umma inaweza kuonekana kuwa ya kupendeza mwanzoni, lakini tunaweza kukuhakikishia ni bora kuliko unavyofikiria. Kwa kuwa hammam za kisasa hutoa huduma nyingi kama vile massage ya tishu ya kina na aromatherapy, kuna mengi ya kufurahia kutoka kwa uzoefu huu wa jadi wa spa. Katika sehemu hii ya makala, tutakuongoza kupitia kila hatua ya uzoefu wa hammam ya Uturuki ili kukuchora picha bora. Kuingia katika eneo la kuangalia-katika, ambapo wewe kugeuka katika simu yako kwa ajili ya kuhifadhi. Nenda kwenye locker na eneo la kubadilisha nguo. Ukiwa na nguo za ndani za matumizi moja, unaweza kugeuza nguo za ndani na kugeuza kitambaa cha kuoga cha Kituruki. Kuanza kwa uzoefu wako wa kuoga wa Uturuki. Katika chumba cha joto, mvuke wa moto na joto husaidia mwili wako kupumzika na pores za ngozi kufunguliwa ili kuanza kuoga na kuondoa sumu katika mwili wako. Baada ya kukaa katika chumba hicho kwa dakika 15 hadi 20, unaweza kuingia katika chumba kikuu cha kuogelea cha Kituruki, ambacho kina umbo la mviringo na kina sakafu ya marumaru iliyoinuliwa. Unapolala juu ya marumaru yenye joto, mhudumu anayehusika anaanza kusafisha mwili wako kwa kinga ya kuondoa ngozi. Wakati msaidizi wako amemaliza kuondoa ngozi yote iliyokufa kwenye mwili wako, atakuosha kwa maji moto. Sasa ni wakati wa kuoga kwa mvinyo. Si kuoga Bubble, unafikiri. Msimamizi wa bafu yako anakufunika kwa milima ya Bubbles na kusafisha mwili wako. Baada ya kuingiza maji baridi, unaweza kuendelea na safari yako au kukaa katika chumba kikuu. Matibabu ya kawaida ya hammam huchukua dakika 30 hadi 45. Kulingana na huduma za ziada unazoomba, inaweza kuchukua muda mrefu zaidi, labda hadi masaa mawili. Sehemu ya mwisho ingekuwa kwenda kwenye chumba cha baridi ili kuungana tena na kuendelea kupumzika huku ukikula vitafunio, matunda mapya, na chai ya Kituruki. Kwa kweli, baada ya kusoma yote juu ya hammam, unataka kujua kama ni thamani yake. Sisi husema ni hivyo! Kuhusu pesa na mambo mengine. Kwa sababu ya aina mbalimbali za huduma na vyumba vya kuogelea vya Kituruki unavyoweza kuchagua, unaweza kupata kitu kinachokuvutia bila kupoteza pesa nyingi. Bei hutofautiana kulingana na hamam unayoenda na aina ya huduma unayopata. Uzoefu wa Hamam ya Uturuki unaweza kukugharimu mahali popote kutoka $ 30 hadi $ 100. Kwa hivyo, hapa tunakupa maelezo ya ziada juu ya huduma na vifurushi kama sehemu ya bafu ya jadi ya Uturuki. Uwanja wa michezo wa Istanbul ni moja ya miji ya Uturuki ambayo ni muhimu sana kwa utalii wa Uturuki, na ni njia gani bora ya kufurahia utamaduni wa Uturuki kuliko kwenda kwenye bafu ya Uturuki? Unaweza kupata hammams ya kihistoria kote Istanbul kama una nia ya kuwa na uzoefu halisi wa hammam ya Kituruki. Usiwe na wasiwasi, Istanbul ina kitu kwa kila mtu, na bafu za Kituruki na Hammams sio ubaguzi pia. Kwa kuwa watalii wengi hutembelea Istanbul kila mwaka, haishangazi kwa nini kuna chaguzi nyingi za hammams na bafu za Kituruki. Ukienda kwenye Turkish Bath & Hammam, utapata nafasi ya kufurahia maisha yako. Maswali ya mara kwa mara kuhusu Hama: Hama ya Uturuki ni moja ya vitu vya kawaida katika kuogelea kwa Uturuki, na ni muhimu sana kwa watu wengi. Chukua muda wako kuchunguza maswali haya; majibu yanaweza kukusaidia sana. Ni mara ngapi ni lazima nitembelee hammam? Hakuna kikomo cha mara ngapi unaweza kutembelea hammam. Pia, si lazima uende kwenye hammam. Kwa sababu hii, ikiwa unajua kuwa kwenda kwenye hammam ya Uturuki ni muhimu, unapaswa kuepuka kufanya hivyo kwa sababu inaweza kuharibu ngozi yako. Kuondoa ngozi mara nyingi kunaweza kufanya ngozi yako iwe nyeti na iwe rahisi kukauka. Kwa hiyo, ikiwa unapanga kutembelea spa ya Uturuki mara kwa mara, fanya hivyo mara moja kwa juma. Je, ni lazima nifanye uhifadhi ili kutembelea hammam? Kwa kawaida ndiyo. Hii inategemea aina ya taasisi unayoitembelea. Mahali pa kuteleza kwa watalii kunaweza kuwa na shughuli nyingi sana, kwa hiyo ni wazo zuri sana kuweka wakati fulani kwa ajili yako mwenyewe. Lakini kwa kuwa kuna hammams nyingi za mahali hapo, kwa kawaida mtu anaweza kutembelea mahali hapo bila kukosa, na hutahitaji kungoja kwa muda mrefu. Uzoefu wa kawaida wa kuoga katika maji ya matope huchukua muda gani? Kwa kawaida, uzoefu wa kawaida wa kuogelea katika hammam huchukua dakika 40 hadi 60. Unaweza kukaa kwa muda mrefu kama unataka, na kama wewe kuuliza kwa ajili ya huduma za ziada, itachukua muda mrefu zaidi. Je, kuna vizuizi vya umri kwa ajili ya kutembelea hammam? Ndio! Watoto chini ya umri wa miaka 12 hawaruhusiwi kuingia ndani ya hema, kwani inaweza kuwa hatari kwa afya yao. Pia, kupumzika na watoto haifanani. Kuna tofauti gani kati ya hammam ya umma na ya kibinafsi? Kutenganishwa kwa jinsia. Mojawapo ya mambo muhimu zaidi ya hammam ya Kituruki ni kwamba imegawanywa kulingana na jinsia. Hilo ni kweli katika bafu za umma kotekote Uturuki. Hama za kibinafsi ni nyongeza mpya kwa utamaduni wa Bath na Hammam ya Uturuki, ikitoa uzoefu wa jadi wa hammam kwa wanandoa, haswa watalii wa Magharibi. Ninajuaje kama hammam ni ya kweli na ya kitamaduni? Vituo vyote kote Uturuki, hasa Istanbul, kujaribu yao bora kukupa uzoefu zaidi halisi hammam milele. Kama unataka kujua kama hammam ni ya kweli, hapa ni baadhi ya mambo ya kuzingatia. Kuna eneo la kuogelea la umma na slab ya marumaru iliyoinuliwa katikati, na kuzunguka utaona mabwawa yaliyofanywa kwa marumaru ambayo watu wanaweza kutumia kujiosha. Mbali na kuosha na kuoga kwa povu, upasuaji wa ziada ni vitu vipya vilivyoongezwa kwenye matibabu ya kweli. Je, naweza kuleta watoto wangu kwenye hammam? La, huwezi. Watoto chini ya umri wa miaka 12 hawaruhusiwi kuingia katika vyumba vya kuogelea. Hii ni kwa sababu ya afya na usalama wa watoto. Hamam ni mahali pa amani, na watoto si watu wenye amani sana, kwa hiyo ni afadhali wasiingie humo. Je, kuna mipaka yoyote ya wakati wa kutembelea hammam? La, lakini inategemea. Kwa ujumla, hakuna kikomo cha wakati kuhusiana na muda unaoweza kukaa katika hammam. Ikiwa unafanya safari ya ziada, unaweza kuwa na vikwazo vya muda, kwa mfano, unaweza kukaa saa moja tu baada ya kumaliza uzoefu wako wa kuogelea.