Almanbet Zairov, a 42-year-old educator, has gained fame outside his classroom as a master of the bathing ritual, transforming a regular visit to the bath into a process of spiritual cleansing.
Almanbet inherited his passion for the bath from his late friend, the famous athlete Osmonaly Karaev. He taught him to appreciate the steam, maintain cleanliness, and understand the inner culture of this process. "At first, I just held the door, then I learned to transfer the heat to the upper shelves. When my friend got tired, I would take his place. Since 2009, we spent most of the week in the bath," he recounts.
According to Zairov, the culture of steaming in Osh significantly surpasses that of other regions. The process begins with thorough preparation of the steam room — the space is cleaned to perfection before people arrive.
In Osh baths, there exists a peculiar hierarchy and rules of conduct:
- Layering of heat. The steam is distributed across 3–4 levels, and each person chooses their height based on their health. It is not shameful to go lower if it becomes difficult; rather, it is a sign of wisdom.
- Authority of the master. Visitors follow the instructions of the parshchik, who in Osh does not merely serve but manages the process.
- Steam should bring pleasure. "Some people burn others by pouring water from buckets while taking cold water themselves to survive. This is wrong. Steam should be a joy, not a torment," emphasizes Zairov.
Gallery: Almanbet Zairov. City of Osh.
Although Almanbet does not consider himself a doctor, he shares his experience accumulated over the years. His approach is a gradual introduction of steam. He pours water "in grams," taking into account the number of people and their condition. The heat, in his opinion, should not burn but "penetrate to the bones."
First round: pouring water on the feet.
Second and third rounds: gradual increase of steam.
Movement of air: gentle, enveloping strokes so that the steam "absorbs" into the body.
Discussions about whether to dive into icy water after the bath continue. Almanbet recalls a case when two doctors discussed this right in the bath: a cardiologist advised jumping in headfirst if health permits, as 30–60 seconds in cold water reduces the risk of thrombosis. However, the master warns: the bath is not a medical procedure, and everyone should know their limits without disturbing others.
Despite his popularity, Almanbet dreams of starting his own business. He plans to build a guest complex for 10–15 people in the Ken-Sai massif area, where the traditions of national cuisine and bath culture will be combined.
Almanbet Zairov believes that the steam room (buukana) is not a place for endurance competitions but a space for moral and physical renewal. "The bath is not about competition, but about cleanliness, culture, and inner peace," he asserts.
