MOROCCAN HAMMAM
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| MOROCCAN HAMMAM |
In Morocco, the hammam is a popular traditional and public bath. Years ago, there were hardly any bathrooms in the houses until recently; therefore, the hammam has been holding huge importance in Moroccan culture.
Back to history, the Romans were the true inventors of the hammam by creating the baths. The Muslims then adopted them easily as they supported in accomplishing religious rituals. They allowed total ablution which gave them great religious importance.
This place gained a lot of social importance. In the past, as a matter of fact, a city was judged by the beauty and magnificence of its hammams. Hence, in the old medinas, each neighborhood has its mosque, but also its hammam.
Concerning the form, the hammam is composed of three baths located in three adjoining rooms: hot room, warm room, and cold room. It is actually a place where men and women come to wash and relax to pass the time. Yet, they never ever use it at the same time, unless there are two hammams side by side, one for each sex. When there is only one hammam, men generally use it in the morning and evening, and women in the afternoon.
Note, the baths close usually in religious celebrations evenings.
In addition to bathing, the hammam represents for some women a place to meet friends, relatives, and neighbors to chat and even gossip. Until recently, some mothers use hammam to judge the appearing qualities of their future daughter-in-law.