The Traditional Moroccan Hammam: History, Steps, and Benefits (2024)

FAQs

What is the history of the Moroccan hammam? ›

The origins of the Moroccan hammam can be traced back to the migration of Arabs to Morocco in the early 7th century. The aim, of course, is to wash away dust and grime but also, as importantly, to achieve a state of pure relaxation, especially when the session is followed by a soothing massage.

The word hammam translates as “bath,” but it has nothing to do with the kind of hot tubs you might find at a hotel spa or spa resort. A traditional hammam is an experience that combines relaxation and detoxification in one relaxing space: the steam rooms, saunas, showers—and even baths—are all part of your treatment!

In the hammam, your body is cleansed from head to toe. It takes place in a humid steam chamber, where a Tellak, a hammam attendant, will douse you with water before applying soap to your skin and exfoliating it with a kessa glove.

Sweating effect of Turkish hammam improves circulation in the body and removes toxins and harmful chemicals contained in organs, blood and tissues. In addition, it removes excess salt from the body, relieves bloating and increases the metabolic rate.

Hammams, or Turkish baths, have traversed centuries and continents. Though their origins can be traced back to ancient Rome and Byzantium, it was during the Ottoman Empire that Hammams truly flourished, evolving into iconic communal spaces that facilitated relaxation, social interaction, and purification.

Moroccan hammams take their inspiration from the first original bathhouses created by the Roman empire more than 2000 years ago, built to increase public hygiene. Roman's rule over North Africa left its pronounced influence on Moroccan culture, seen in the architecture of Roman ruins still remaining across the country.

At each of the hammams I went to, I removed my bra but kept my underwear on. In each instance, they were either removed by an old woman or so sopping wet and loose, that they practically fell off. But you can ask the attendant what you should do. Sometimes they give you disposable ones along with some rubber sandals.

In general, Turkish hammams will have steam rooms with high humidity; Moroccan baths will have rooms that are heated through the walls and floor as well as through the water pipes, creating a more subtle steam experience.

In an authentic Moroccan Hammam, you get to pick buckets and head to the big steam room. In the steam room, your body is cleansed from head to toe, after that a Dellak, “a hammam attendant”, will douse you with water before applying the Moroccan black soap to your skin and exfoliating it with a Kassa glove.

Warm steam, carved marble and intricate burnished bronze water faucets and decorative bowls to pour the water – it is an amazing experience. Add it to the list to try it at least once in your life. Hammams also smell incredible, it is a dreamy, clean, soapy smell mixed with purifying oils.

Does hammam remove dead skin? ›

The Hammam treatment exfoliates dead skin cells, detoxifies the body, boosts the lymphatic system, stimulates skin collagen production, deeply purifies, and cleanses the pores. The exfoliation process removes and peels dead skin cells in pieces that can be seen, revealing softer and glowing skin underneath.

HAMAS formed in late 1987 at the beginning of the first Palestinian intifada (uprising). Its roots are in the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, and it is supported by a robust sociopolitical structure inside the Palestinian territories.

It all started with the Greeks and Romans

The origin of the hammam starts with the ancient Greeks and Romans. The Greeks and Romans had a long tradition of public bathing until the practice became unpopular. The decline of the public bath coincided with the expansion of Muslim and Arabic states in the Middle East.

In a traditional Turkish hammam, bathers are separated by gender, while in a Moroccan hammam, men and women bathe together. However, Casa spa is a women's only spa which is how they used to be in the past. In general, the Turkish hammam is seen as being more about leisure, while the Moroccan hammam is more authentic.