 SAUNA, correctly pronounce
"sow (rhymes with wow) nah," is the only Finnish word in the English
dictionary; it means "bath" and "bathhouse." Sauna has been a way of
life in Finland, where it comes from in its present form, for over 2000
years. One of the first written descriptions of the Finnish Sauna was in
1112. The earliest Sauna was dug into an embankment in the ground. Later
Saunas were built above ground with wooden logs. The rocks were heated
in a stone stove with a wood fire until the rocks were super hot. This
room did not have a chimney but a small air vent in the back wall. The
smoke allowed to fill the room while it was heating. it was a half-day
process to heat this type room. When the Sauna reached temperature, the
bathers entered after the smoke cleared. The walls and ceiling would
become dark black. This original Sauna was called "savu" (Finnish for
smoke) Sauna. The name Sauna it thought to be a derivative of the word
savuna, literally "in smoke". The Sauna later evolved to the more
typical metal woodstove heater with the chimney. Whenever Finns traveled
they brought their Sauna culture with them. It was first brought to
America by Finns who settled in the current state of Delaware in 1638.
Modern day life and electricity evolved the Sauna again. Saunas became
more accessible in the U.S. after the electric Sauna stove was developed
in the 1950s. Some Americans that lived near Scandinavian communities
may have been lucky enough to discover Saunas early on. After 360 years
in this country, the Sauna has become an established tradition for many
Americans as it has been for the Finns. |
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Interesting Sauna Facts |
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In Finland, the Sauna plays an important part in
socializing. Family gatherings and even business meetings take place in
the Sauna. Participants are not allowed to leave the Sauna until a deal
is made (just kidding).
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There are more than 1
Sauna for every 3 people in Finland (over two million). That's more
Saunas than cars.
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Finns behave in a Sauna as
one would in a church. It is a very spiritual experience.
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Many Finns have 2 saunas,
one for their residence and one for their summer cabin by a lake.
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A typical 20-minute Sauna
session can extract 1 qt. of water from the body.
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Finns often use short
bundles of birch branches, called "vihtas or vahtas", to tap against
their bodies to stimulate the skin. These same birch branches can be
laid on top of the rocks for a few seconds while water is poured through
them to create a very pleasant birch aroma in the room.
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Many Russians like a very
hot Sauna (called "Bania") where temperatures around 300F are not
uncommon. They wear a wooled cap in the Sauna to protect their ears and
mouth from the high heat.
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High temperature in the
Sauna is comfortable because the humidity is very low.
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Saunas are even used in
hot climates like Saudi Arabia because once you use a Sauna, the outside
air feels cooler and you sweat less.
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In the winter time many
Finns will roll in the snow or jump in an icy lake after Sauna. This
creates a very unusual tingling sensation all over the body.
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Every year there are
contests in Finland to see who can stay in the Sauna the longest (not
healthy though - one can seriously de-hydrate).
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In earlier time the Finns
would first build their Sauna; live in it as it also seconded as a guest
house, then built the barn for the animals, and only then built the main
residence.
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When present day
Philadelphia was first settled in the 1600's by Finns and Swedes they
naked the area Sauna. The first Saunas were built where the City Hall
and Naval Shipyards are now located - A plaque in the ground in the
Naval yard indicates the location of the first Sauna.
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