30 May 2025 / 10 House
Did the Aztecs invent the sauna?
Aztec codex image of temazcalli
Long before the Spanish reached Mexico most ordinary homes had a steam-bath attached to the side of the house, made of stone and cement, and vaguely igloo-like in shape (but a lot warmer!). (Written/compiled by Ian Mursell/Mexicolore)
This temazcal(li) is still widely used in rural central and southern Mexico. The fireplace is outside the steam-bath itself, sharing a common wall with it. The heat of a fierce wooden fire eventually makes the bath wall glow.
The bather then creeps through the low, narrow entrance (made small to keep the heat in) into the bath area - enough room for two to sit comfortably. By throwing water onto the glowing wall the room fills with steam: the bath attendant (a woman) then “switches” (thwacks) the naked bather with bundles of long grasses.
The steam bath was used for three things: to clean, to “purify” (the soul) and sometimes to cure certain diseases. (Ian remembers greatly enjoying one as a volunteer on a Quaker summer workcamp in the Náhuatl-speaking village of San Isidro Buensuceso, between Puebla and Tlaxcala, in 1971!)
(Codex image from the Codex Magliabecchiano)
Photos by Ian Mursell/Mexicolore
Comments (2)
Taytay
16th Jan 2023
Really? I would have thought would be painful! Thank you!
Mexicolore
A bit like a cold shower, it’s not exactly physically pleasant, but you feel much better for it afterwards!
Taytay
13th Jan 2023
Why did Aztecs get thwaked during steam baths?
Mexicolore
For therapeutic reasons, to clean both body and spirit. It isn’t painful!
Aztec codex image of temazcalli
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