Moroccan Hammam experience!
Hammam is an experience you should try when in Morocco! A hammam is the traditional Islamic bathing experience and is very popular in Morocco. They are originally from the Roman Baths, which came from around the 1rst century. In the Islamic culture, the significance of the hammam was religious (ritual ablutions) and civic (hygiene and a gathering and meeting place). The simple explanation of our Airbnb host was that in the past most homes in Morocco didn’t have running water and only the local Hammams did. This is where locals would come to get cleaned, gossip, and socialize. Apparently, this was so pleasant that it is still a current local tradition all across the country (and many other African and Muslim countries).
The main concept of a hammam is to cleanse, scrub and moisturize the body by using different soaps and/or scrubs (such as beldi soap) and oils (like argan oil). The scrubbing is done with a special hand glove.
Most hammams offer 4 rooms: an undressing room, a cold room, a warm room, and a hot room. Heat is provided by coal or wood furnace that provide hot water and steam. The hot room resembles a sauna or hot steam room.
We had the opportunity to experience four hammams while in Morocco. They were all unique and different.
Le Bain de Kasbah (Marrakech): although this was very relaxing and fancy, it’s a modified version of the traditional, local hammam. It has all the basic principles; gommage, herb wrap, facial, argan oil massage. This experience took about 2 hrs and included 1 hr massage (which was amazing!). There is a resting area where tea is served, and you get the full spa experience with aromatherapy, robes, and slippers. Also, there is a steam room for the men and one for the woman.
Relax Inn spa (Rabat): I took Josefine here for her birthday and it was a more local experience than Le Bain de Kasbah but a more refined spa experience than the actual local Hammam. The beauty salon also offers hair cuts, manicures, pedicures, etc.
Masrma Hamma (Rabat): Kaio went with Jason and I took Madeline. They have two separate entrances for each gender. They have a little store upfront that sells some of the basics like soap, shampoo, gloves, etc. You can also rent a mat (as you lay down on the floor for the scrubbing and cleaning). You can do the entire process by yourself, pay a local/employee to do the entire process (they will wash you with soap, scrub you, give a massage, and even wash your hair), or you can have them just scrub you.
Local hammam (Fès): Jason did this and was the more authentic experience. They probably hardly ever see any tourists, and we only knew about it as our Airbnb host directed us to the door, there is no sign. The hammam is open for woman during the day and men can use it from 7-10 pm. (Which is the normal way local hammams function due to lack of space) The person collecting the entrance fee was also the one that scrubbed and washed Jason. We borrowed several items from our host (like a bucket, a mat, a glove). Interestingly, near Fes, in Volubilis, is where you can find the ruins of the oldest known Islamic hammam (definitely worth the visit!)
While you can find a similar experience in other countries, the hammam culture in Morocco is unique and very authentic. It might be worth trying a more ‘spa’ experience first before diving into a neighborhood hammam….
