Othala - Suitsusaun

👉 The tradition of the Vana-Võrumaa (or Old Võrumaa) smoke sauna is listed as UNESCO cultural heritage and brings generations together once again. The smoke sauna has accompanied peasants from birth to death for hundreds of years and was considered a sacred place. Today, it once again unites generations. The spiritual heritage of ancestors attracts more and more people who seek their roots in today’s globalizing world. How can one find the path to the essence of their nation’s shard and eternal values, passed down orally for centuries? According to various estimates, up to 3000 smoke saunas, both old and newly built, are used in southern Estonia. The more experienced elders of the community instruct the younger ones, teaching them how to build, heat, and use the smoke sauna. Our ancestors considered this sauna a sacred place, as it accompanied a person throughout their life – from conception and birth to the most significant events and departure from this world. Traditionally, the smoke sauna was built on the farmstead in a specific location and was considered a gateway, a so-called portal between this world and the other. People communicated with their ancestors in the sauna and sought their guidance. The ritual sauna whisk in the steam room blessed important matters, marked the end of one life period, and signified the beginning of the next. Each region and family had their own sauna rituals, and the time spent in the steam room was divided into three parts: cleansing, healing, and expressing gratitude. The sauna tradition in Vana-Võrumaa has been preserved and in 2014 was added to the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It connects us to the culture that was common to the nomadic peoples of the entire northern hemisphere 3000-4000 years ago. The smoke sauna was believed to have a cleansing effect on both body and soul and had other daily uses, such as smoking meat. It continues to fulfill these roles today, bringing generations together. Construction of a Smoke Sauna A smoke sauna, characterized by its log construction, lack of a chimney, and an open fire for heating stones, is used year-round in southern Estonia. A winter sauna visit can be more challenging, but all the more invigorating when plunging into an ice hole or rolling in the snow after a hot steam session. In southern Estonia, smoke saunas are traditionally built from logs, though some can be found made of stones or in depressions. Traditionally, construction began in the last week of the month to ensure the sauna was sturdy and well-built. Wooden pegs were used instead of nails, and moss was placed between the logs. Families would go to the sauna together. Usually, the men went into the steam room first, followed by the women and children (initially, the sauna was too hot for the latter). When going to the smoke sauna, people left their main clothing at home and took a sauna towel with them. They drank water, birch sap, or some sour drink, as well as kvass. Lately, beer has become increasingly common in the sauna. In the past and today, the smoke sauna is used for smoking meat, drying and smoking barley malt, as well as drying herbs, onions, and sheep skins. Meat smoked in a smoke sauna is ready to eat after two days. Before smoking, the meat is salted for 5–7 days.