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By Daud Saba
January - March 1998
Lemar-Aftaab
Archeological evidence shows that the tradition of cleansing the body is
a very ancient element of civilizations-- especially in the ancient
cultures of the Mediterranean and Babylonian. The cleansing ceremonies
in ancient Afghanistan dates back to the pre-Zoroastrian era where
Sun worshipers cleansed and washed themselves for up to three days and
nights in pre-determined intervals in order to be allowed
to participate in worshipping ceremonies.
In the Zoroastrian tradition, early in the morning, all believers washed
their faces, hands up to elbows three times, and feet before they worshipped.
If a person touched a dead body, they had to cleanse themselves by washing
their whole body.
During the Roman Empire, the followers of Mitra built a few hamams (bath
houses) in
their territories, but in the East, the presence of hamams in today’s
sense did not come into existence until the coming of Islam.
Archaeological researches in the Middle East and Afghanistan show
different styles of hamams built during the Achminids period. From the
beginning of the seventh century and the emergence of Islam, the art and
architecture and the style of governments in the Islamic lands
dramatically changed. The cleansing of body was given dire attention.
During the reign of the Amavids, beautiful constructions were built, the
same were consequently passed onto the Gothic architecture in
France and other parts of Europe-- a mixture of Islamic and European
styles
of architecture. The Amavid Mosque of Damascus and the famous Hamam of
Amavid in the Hamra Palace (the Red Palace) in Jordan are few examples
of the new Islamic style. The building of Hamams in bigger cities were
continued during Abbasids period. According to historical documents
in Cairo only, during the 5th and 6th centuries (hegri) there were more
than one thousand public hamams built.
In ancient Afghanistan, all hamams were destroyed along with other
cultural items by the attacks of Changis Khan. Later during Saljuks
reign, the architecture evolved into new styles of Islamic
art. Public constructions became the political and economical policies
of the governments of that time. In all major cities of Khorasan (name
of Afghanistan in the Middle Ages) new gates to the cities emerged as
centers of commerce and marketing of local products. Having a hamam in
these centers was a must, which improved the quality of the services
provided in parts of the cities. These policies were further promoted
during the Timurid era, which was one of the most prosperous periods of
Khorasans' history.
In the cities of Khorasan, the public hamams possessed a special
importance, and were placed after mosques and madrasas (schools).
The primary problem in the construction of hamams was the stabilization
and control of temperature and fog in the interior of the structures and
the access of water. The architecture in the Timurid era created
masterpieces of its kind by solving all the above problems and designing
a sewage system that was unique in its structure.
The old hamams received heat from a heating camera in
the vicinity of the major hall. Wood was the source of heating. Water
was collected into a large covered pool. Under the pool a vast network
of hallows were connected to the heating chamber. The smoke and the
flame produced in the chamber were directed through the networks to heat
up the water and the main hall. The roofing of hamams was designed in a
way to direct enough light from outside into the halls. This structure
is still in use in most of the hamams of Afghanistan.
The hamams' interior as well as exteriors were decorated with beautifully
colored mosaics and tiles or glass work to enhance its competition with
other hamams in the vicinity. Usually two hamam were built close to each
other, one for men and another for women. The construction of hamas were
sponsored by wealthy residents and donated to the mosque or other
charitable causes.
In the early morning, people were informed of the opening of
the hamam by a special drum . Hamams were not only the place to cleanse
oneself but also the
place of gossips and discussions about the affairs of the state
and business.
Currently, the use of hamams are limited due to the emergence of modern
houses which have bathrooms. Due to two decades of war, many of the
ancient hamams of Afghanistan have been destroyed.
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Copyright © 1998 Aftaabzad Publications. All Rights Reserved.
May not
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