What is the Place of Ottoman Hammam Culture in the Modern World?

Ottoman Hammam Culture and Health

The Ottoman hammam culture consists of large, stone-built buildings with sections usually reserved for men and women. At the entrance to the hammams, people take off their shoes and go to the changing rooms. Here people go to the hammam, taking a towel or a blanket made of a kind of fabric called pestemal. People who come take hot water baths in different parts of the hammam, clean themselves and relax. During this process, people socialize and chat with each other. Hammams are usually beautiful examples of Ottoman architecture and are an important part of Turkish culture.

Ottoman hammam culture is associated with health benefits as well as cleanliness and socialization. In addition to removing toxins from your body, hot water baths can help relax muscles and reduce stress. Therefore, visits to the hammam are part of a healthy lifestyle for many people. In addition, massages and skin treatments performed in different parts of the hammams can help you get a healthy appearance by nourishing and renewing your skin.

What are the Washing Rituals and Traditions in the Ottoman Hammam Culture?

In the Ottoman bath culture, washing is not only a physical cleaning process, but also a form of social interaction. Hammams are places where people get together and chat recently, discuss current issues and even make business deals. For this reason, washing rituals in Ottoman hammam culture are taken into account in many different aspects.

The first step of the hammams is usually done in the dressing room. Here, visitors undress and take their towels. Then, they move on to the hot and humid hammam area. Marble floors and walls are usually found in this region, and the environment is characterized by its high temperature and humidity. This temperature causes people to sweat and the pores of the skin to open. The second step is the ritual of washing in the hammam. Washing in the bathhouse is usually done by a hammam attendant called "Tellak". Hammam attendant is a bath attendant who is usually specially trained for men's washing. And for women, there is female hammam attendant called "Natır". Washing begins with a pre-wash, which is first done with hot water. Then hammam attendant rubs the client's skin thoroughly using soap and a special sponge. This sponge helps to remove dead skin cells and impurities. During washing, hammam attendant carefully washes the customer's skin and at the same time converses with the customers. This is an important part of social interaction in the Ottoman hamam culture. Hammam attendants use different soaps that are suitable for the skin types and needs of customers. For example, olive oil soap moisturizes the skin, while sulfur soap helps to cleanse acne-prone skin.

The ritual of washing in the hammam usually ends with a massage and foam washing. Hammam attendant massages by rubbing the client's back, neck and shoulders. The customer then lies face down for a foam wash. The soap is foamed using a special hooped sponge and applied to the client's skin. This provides a relaxing experience while cleansing the skin at the same time.

What is Ottoman Hammam Culture and Modern Spa Industry?

The Ottoman hammam culture and its history began in Istanbul. The hammams were used for many important tasks in the Ottoman Empire. As the center of social life, the hammams were places where different social classes could coexist. Even poor people used to go to the hammam. Because hammams were also places used to ensure cleanliness and hygiene.

The architectural structure of the hammams is quite interesting. The entrance hall is located first, followed by changing rooms and steam rooms. There are many different rooms in the hammams. For example, hot stone beds, cold water pools, massage rooms and relaxation rooms. These sections are the basic elements of Ottoman hammam culture. Ottoman hamam culture is not only a cleaning center, but also a culture that attaches importance to people's mental health. Hammams help people to relax, get rid of stress and regenerate.

Today's modern spa industry is inspired by the Ottoman Hammam culture it offers many different treatments for health and wellness. The hammam culture forms the basis for many treatments and treatments in the modern spa industry. Modern spa centers usually consist of different sections such as pools, saunas, steam rooms, massage rooms and skin care rooms. These areas help people to relax, get rid of stress, regenerate and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

What are the Accessories Used in Ottoman Hammam Culture?

The hammam culture of the Ottoman Empire has a very rich history. Hammams were considered a part of social life, and people preferred hammams both to do their personal cleaning and to socialize. Therefore, the accessories used in the Ottoman hammam culture were very important. Here are a few examples of accessories used in Ottoman hammam culture:

• Pouches: The pouches used in hammams are used for personal cleaning. These pouches are usually made of fibrous materials used during the marsupial process. The pouches purify the skin from dead skin and increase blood circulation, making the skin healthier.
• Wooden slippers: The humid environment of the baths can cause the floor to be slippery. Therefore, wooden slippers were used to prevent slips on the hammam floor. In addition, the slippers are also designed to adapt to the temperature of the bath.
• Hammam fibers: Fibers used in the Ottoman hammam culture are another accessory used for cleaning. These fibers, used in combination with soap or foam, cleanse the body and smooth the skin.
• Hammam towels: Hammam towels would usually have large sizes and a thick texture. These towels were used to dry the body and adapt to the temperature when leaving the bath.
• Hammam soaps: Hammam soaps are used to cleanse and moisturize the skin. In the Ottoman hammam culture, soaps made from natural materials were preferred.
• Basins of hammam: Basins of hammam were used to carry water in baths. These wooden or copper vessels are designed in accordance with the temperature of the bath.
• Candlesticks: The baths were usually illuminated in a dim light. Therefore, candlesticks used to provide a warm light source.
• Sherbet jugs: The sherbet jugs were used for serving drinks in the baths. These containers are usually made of glass or porcelain and are designed to adapt to the temperature of the bath.
• Hammam bowls: Hammam bowls are an important accessory used to transport and pour water in baths. These stone bowls are usually made of marble and can be of different sizes. In hammam culture, pouring water is an important ritual, especially for sweating and skin health.
• Bath gloves: Bath gloves are another cleaning tool used in baths. These gloves are used to cleanse the skin and have a softer texture, unlike hammam fibers.

The accessories used in the Ottoman hammam culture were used not only for cleaning, but also for social interaction. Hammams have become the center of the social life of the Ottoman Empire, and these accessories have also become part of these important cultural rituals. Even today, many of these accessories are still used in Turkish baths and this contributes to the survival of Ottoman hammam culture.