Wenik
The Russian word Wenik ( Russian веник ) means broom or birch rod and has two meanings.
As broom it means a broom , which in Russia is widespread. The wenik as a "birch rod" is of enormous importance for the banja walks (the Russian variant of the sauna ). In summer, a bunch of birch twigs is picked in order to then serve a ritual in the banya that has hardly found its way into the Central European sauna culture and therefore often causes amazement.
The wenik is used to cut the body off with it. The blood circulation is stimulated so, and there is a pleasant feeling of relaxation. However, it is best to let other banja hunters knock you off. Knocking off with fresh and / or well soaked Weniks is painless and pleasant. It is different with a dried Wenik. This needs to be soaked long enough so that it doesn't cause pain.
In the Finnish sauna, the knocking is also common with birch rods, they are there Vasta or Vihta called.
