Steam at a crossroads: can Morocco's ancient hammams endure?

Africanews (in English)

Steam at a crossroads: can Morocco's ancient hammams endure?  For centuries, the communal hammam has been the beating heart of Moroccan social life, a sanctuary for cleansing and connection.   READ MORE : http://www.africanews.com/2025/09/29/steam-at-a-crossroads-can-moroccos-ancient-hammams-endure  Subscribe on our Dailymotion channel and receive all the latest news from the continent.    Africanews is available in English and French.  Website : www.africanews.com  Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/africanews.channel/  Twitter : https://twitter.com/africanews

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00:00For centuries, the Hammam has been a cornerstone of Moroccan life.

00:04Present in every city, town, and village, these public bathhouses traces their origins to the Roman and Islamic traditions.

00:12They were built near mosques, serving as the primary place for bathing and ritual purification before prayer.

00:20The Hammam was a space for social interaction and exchange of different opinions

00:25because at the time, women were largely excluded from social, political, and economic life.

00:30Therefore, it offered them a vital opportunity to connect and share information.

00:35On a personal level, there was a little awareness about certain topics,

00:39so the Hammam became a place where they could discuss issues considered a taboo,

00:44such as sexual health, relationships, and how to deal with their husbands.

00:48Between clients, marble slabs are cleaned, silver vessels emit fragrant steam,

00:56and the domes are adorned with traditional zelige tiles,

01:00handcrafted and hand-painted ceramic tiles that represent a century-old Moroccan artistry.

01:10Today's youth live at a fast pace due to work conditions and do not have enough time.

01:15Times have changed. It is not like the past.

01:17For example, when visiting the Hammam, they want to complete the experience within just one hour.

01:23This is why we try to bring back traditions as they were.

01:26I seek to innovate and find solutions to preserve the traditions that once existed.

01:32Today, visitors may conclude their experience in a relaxation zone,

01:36sipping tea and unwinding as the aroma of incense permeates the atmosphere.

01:43Traditional Hammams are declining for several objective reasons.

01:46First, due to rising costs, we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic and the water crisis,

01:52how official decisions forced them to close.

01:55Second, because of social change, Moroccan households have transformed,

02:00and with hot showers and comfort available at home,

02:02people are no longer obliged to visit a Hammam, especially in this fast-paced area.

02:07The current challenge is whether both the ancient bathhouses and their contemporary equivalents

02:14can persist and adapt in a swiftly evolving world.

02:18And the smashed plant finns and there can be a сохранization zone.

02:19Again, the cast of curiosities can be a closely συν asylum,

02:22which is a producción of element of the people who have less than the visible dimensions of the earth would be seen in the world.

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