Why do Russians have the custom of taking a bath in a black bathhouse?

The folk black bathhouses and bathing methods of the Russians are different from those of other ethnic minorities. The black bathhouse is named after the stoves in the bathhouses do not have chimneys to keep warm, and all the black smoke produced by burning wood is emitted indoors. The black bathhouse is generally a wooden structure, built in the corner of the yard not far from the house, and used as a storage room in summer. The bathhouse consists of two parts: changing room and bathroom. There is a large stove about one meter long and less than one meter wide built into the bathroom. An iron plate or iron bar is placed on the stove to facilitate stacking of stones. In the middle of the bathroom is a wooden frame on the second to third floors where people can lie down. There are two types of wooden frame: tower shape and trapezoid shape. When taking a bath, light the large stove with firewood and burn it until the iron plate (or iron bar) and the stones above it glow red. Then scoop water from the prepared hot water bucket and pour it on the red-hot stones. The hot water turned into steam in an instant, and the entire bathhouse was filled with water vapor, making it difficult to see even one's fingers. The bather lies on a wooden frame, holding a broom made of soft birch twigs and patting the whole body until the whole body is red. Be sure to drink tea after taking a bath, and the family can rest and chat while drinking tea. Tea (mostly black tea) often contains milk, fresh cream and sugar.

For Russians, bathhouses are one of the symbols of Russian culture, like potent vodka and exquisite country girl matryoshka dolls. It is said that in Moscow in the 1980s, bathhouses, like subway stations and parks, were a common meeting place for people; everyone had their own favorite bathhouse. People gather in the bathhouse to sing, joke and chat; they like to bring wine and pickles to the bathhouse. After enjoying the steam, enjoy fine wine and delicious food.

Russian bathing equipment - birch branches. Branches whip the body.

Russian baths can be divided into dry steaming and wet steaming. As soon as you enter the steam room, you feel the heat. The ground was covered with leaves, and there were many people beating each other with brooms tied with branches. This is why some old people are selling small bundles of branches at the entrance of the bathhouse. It turns out that they are used for washing.

Russians usually choose birch branches tied into bathing utensils because of their softness and toughness. Oak and coniferous options are also available. The frequency and intensity of whipping the body are particular. If it is too severe, it will damage the skin, but if it is too light, it will not achieve the effect. After being "whipped" by branches for several hours, you can still smell the fragrance of white birch emanating from your body.

The private black bathhouse is usually built in the corner of the courtyard not far from the house and serves as a storage room in summer. To keep warm, the stoves in the bathhouses did not have chimneys. All the black smoke produced by burning firewood is emitted indoors, so it is called a black bathhouse among the people.

The bathhouse consists of two parts: changing room and bathroom. The bathroom is covered with a large stove that is about one meter long and less than one meter wide. Iron plates or iron bars are placed on the bathhouse to facilitate stacking of stones. In the middle of the bathroom is a wooden frame on the second to third floors where people can lie down. There are two types of wooden planks: tower type and trapezoidal type. When taking a bath, scoop a ladle of water from the prepared hot water bucket and pour it on the red-hot stones. Hot water turns into steam instantly. The bather lies on the wooden frame and pats the body with a broom of twigs or rubs the body with his hands. After washing, go to the locker room and rinse yourself with cold water before getting dressed. The traditional order of bathing is to take the oldest first, then the youngest, and first the male, then the female.