Temazcal

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temāzcalli from the Codex Magliabecchi
Temazcal at the Joya de Ceren site
Modern temazcal at the La Chonita Hacienda in Tabasco, Mexico.

A temazcal [temasˈkal] is a type of sweat lodge which originated with pre-Hispanic Indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica. The word temazcal comes from the Nahuatl word temāzcalli [temaːsˈkalːi] ("house of heat")[citation needed], or possibly from the Aztec teme (to bathe) and calli (house).[1] 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. They are then placed in a pit located in the center or near a wall of the temazcal.

Temazcal es un titulo de Mexico compuesto por Javier Alvarez's 1984 composition for maracas and tape. Joby Burgess' Powerplant has toured the work extensively, often incorporating video and surround sound, and recorded it alongside Steve Reich's Electric Counterpoint

See also

Notes

  1. Aaland, Mikkel. "Origin of the Temescal". http://www.cyberbohemia.com/Pages/originoftem.htm

External links

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