The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

SAUNA BATH

THE FINNISH HAD THE ORIGINAL SAUNA BATH AND STILL HAVE
THEM TODAY IN A LITTLE TOWN IN THE UPPER PENINSULA,
MASS, MICHIGAN. EACH FAMILY HAS THEIR OWN. THEY LOOK
LIKE A LARGE OUTHOUSE. THE WHOLE FAMILY TOOK THEIR
BATH TOGETHER, THE LITTLE ONES SAT ON THE LOWER
BENCHES IN FRONT AND THE PARENTS ON THE ELEVATED
BENCHES IN BACK. THE LITTLE ONES WERE TAUGHT NEVER
TO LOOK BACK AT THEIR PARENTS.
THE SAUNA IS A STEAM TYPE BATH TAKEN IN THE WINTER.
THE PROCEDURE IS AS FOLLOWS: FIRST YOU USE SWITCHES TO
WHIP UP THE CIRCULATION, THEN YOU MAKE STEAM BY
SPRINKLING WATER ON THE LARGE, FLAT HEATED ROCKS
WHICH MAKE UP THE OVEN. FINALLY, AFTER STEAMING
ALL THE DIRT OUT OF THE PORES, YOU GO OUT AND ROLL
IN THE SNOW.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS RECEIVED FROM A FRIEND OF THE INFORMANT'S
WHO ACTUALLY DID THIS WITH HER FAMILY WHEN SHE WAS
YOUNG.

Where learned: WHITEHEAD AND KALES ; MILL STREET PLANT

Date learned: 02-23-1967