ancient wisdom

History behind Hamams and Kese. 

The meaning of Hamam (known as Azerbajani Bath) has Arabic origin and means heated and being warm. Since ancient times, most communities have Hamam in different forms.

 

The Azerbajani scrubber mitten, also known as a kese, is a traditional exfoliating tool that has been used for centuries in baths, or hamams. The word "kese" comes from the Azerbajani language ( which is part of Turkic languages) and is a type of mitten that is used for scrubbing and cleaning the skin.

The tradition of using kese in hamams dates back to the Ottoman Empire, where hamams were an important part of daily life and culture. Hamams were not only used for personal hygiene but also for socializing, relaxation, and as a place for healing. The kese was an essential tool in the hamam, used to exfoliate and clean the skin, and the rough texture of the mitten helped to remove dead skin cells and impurities, leaving the skin feeling soft and refreshed.

The kese mittens are typically made of natural viscose floss or pure mulberry silk. The mittens can vary in size, shape and texture , often hand-made and come in different grades of roughness. The kese mittens are used with soap and water to scrub the body.

The tradition of using kese mittens in hamams spread to other parts of the Middle East and Europe during the Ottoman Empire's expansion. Today, the tradition continues in Azerbajan, Turkey and other parts of the Middle East, and kese mittens are also becoming popular in Western countries as an exfoliating tool for personal use. They are still a popular tool in hamams and spas, and also used by people in their homes as well. 

 

Temiz Kese is made in Turkey in one of the most original manufacturers who weave their fabric for kese on their heirloom ancient looms.