Temazcal: Difference between revisions

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A temazcal is a type of sweat lodge which originated with pre-hispanic Indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica. The word temazcal comes from the Nahuatl word temazcalli ("house of heat"). Temazcal in English is also written as temezcal, temascal, or temescal. In ancient Mesoamerica it was used as part of a curative ceremony thought to purify the body after exertion such as after a battle or a ceremonial ball game. It was also used for healing the sick, improving health, and for women to give birth. It continues to be used today in Indigenous cultures of Mexico and Central America that were part of the ancient Mesoamerican region for spiritual and health reasons. It is currently being recovered by all sectors of society in that part of the world and is used as a cleansing of mind body and spirit.

The sweatlodge in Mesoamerica is usually a permanent structure, unlike in other regions. The temazcal is usually constructed from volcanic rock and cement and is usually a circular dome, although rectangular ones have been found at certain archeological sites and this shape is also used. To produce the heat, volcanic stones are heated (volcanic stones are safe because they do not explode from the temperature)and then are placed in a pit in the temazcal,located in the center or near a wall.

See also

• Sweat lodge
• Sauna

External links

• Article on Temazcal (in English)
• Article on Oaxacan Temazcal
• Article on the use of the temazcal among the Tzeltal-Tzotzil Maya of Chiapas, Mexico