To
question the
origin of this
toilet, it is worth mentioning that this
garnished
hole in the ground also exists in the country of
Turkey and is known locally as the
Alaturka toilet; as opposed to the
Western can-cousin which is referred to as the
Alafranga toilet.
Although most public toilets are still fashioned as such for hygienic purposes, the Western toilet has become the prevalent tool of relief in almost all middle class homes in Turkey. Still, a lot of flats and houses do come with a spare Alaturka toilet and it is not as of yet a reason for Turks to gasp when they see one.
As an aside, the cleansing of the rear end by hand with water remains the wrapping-up act of choice. The tradition has been carried over to the adopted Western toilet with the addition of a thin pipe protruding from the back of the bowl. The pipe (taharet valve) can be turned on and off by the use of a valve next to the cistern.