Background
Early
European settlers of
Unlike Williams, there were also those who feared and misunderstood the ceremony. The missionaries and government saw the sweat as a threat of an uprising of Natives against officials, and therefore denied its use. This ban had a devastating impact especially on the tribes who used the ceremony for spiritual purposes.
On the other hand, others saw the ceremony as a secret society: a society of just men or just women entering the lodge. There is some truth to these secret societies, but not the whole truth. In some traditions, women and men sweat separately, while sweats are integrated in others. For example, only men will enter the sweat lodge to discuss certain issues or ask for guidance and success for their hunting trip.
The sweat lodge is used for numerous occasions, from sacred matters to some social events. However, in most tribes the major purpose of a sweat is for spiritual renewal and purification of the mind, body, soul, and spirit. This ceremony can be used to heal an illness, to prepare for other ceremonies or to seek guidance. For example, the Lakotas use the sweat lodge for preparation for a Sun Dance. According to author, Mike Aaland, “The purpose, in most cases, went beyond getting the body clean. The sweat bath provided a cure for illness, revitalization for aching muscle, and a sense of racial identity.”
What is a Sweat Lodge?
There are usually two types of leaders in a sweat lodge ceremony. The first is responsible for the participants and is the teacher of the ceremony. The next leader is the fire keeper. This person is responsible for providing the fire, wood, and stones used during the ceremony, for opening and closing the door, for bringing in the pipe or anything else the leader may request. This second leader is also responsible for taking care of the altar.
The
sweat lodge takes place in a dome-like structure with a round pit dug into the center
of the floor. The rocks are heated for several hours before the ceremony
begins. They are then placed in the center of the lodge. Sweat participants
enter the lodge in a clockwise direction. The flap of the lodge is then closed.
The leader splashes water, cedar, and other herbs on the glowing rocks as
prayers are said and songs are sung. The sweat lodge is heated up. The door is
opened four times during the ceremony, each time representing the four
directions. At the time the door is opened, prayers are released and fresh air
enters to rejuvenate the participants. Also, the participants are allowed to
exit the lodge when the sweat gets too hot for them. They can re-enter when
another round is about to begin.
The sweat lodge can last up to a few
hours, depending on the participant’s particular situation. For example, a
participant can enter the sweat lodge to pray and ask for guidance. When the
ceremony is concluded, the participants exit the lodge in a clockwise
direction. The sweat lodge ceremony is done differently depending on the sweat
lodge leader. There are no two sweats that are held alike, each are unique. The
sweat lodge ceremony is used throughout the
Symbolism of the
Lodge
Although the meanings of the sweat lodge differ among various tribes, there are also shared symbols associated with the sweat. For example, most Plains tribes especially the Lakotas see the interior of the lodge as a representation of Mother Earth’s womb. Although others have different views of the representation of the lodge, they all have universal purpose of spiritual renewal and the purification of the mind, body, soul and spirit. All nations also view the sweat lodge as a sacred and honored ceremony.
Alcoholism &
sweat lodge
The sweat lodge helps remove toxins from the body, so
why not use it for recovery from alcoholism. In fact many use the sweat lodge
as a native culture treatment for Native Americans recovering from alcoholism.
Individuals in a recovery programs that use native culture treatment have
slightly more confidence of staying sober than those who don't use culture
treatment. In a study of cultural treatment, participants reported that their
cultural treatments were both more enjoyable and self-empowering than their
usual treatment routine of talk-therapy and education. In a three-year follow
up interview of these participants, the research revealed that "these
experiences, and their corresponding insights, had been helpful both in their
ability to cope and [maintain] their sobriety." Since it is connected to
spiritual renewal and purification of the mind, body, soul, and spirit, the
sweat lodge is one form of alcoholism treatment. “Because the sweat lodge
produces a powerful physical and mental experience, it has been considered an
antidote for alcohol, which also produces strong physical and mental reactions”
says anthropologist Roberta Hall. She went on to say “local control, cultural
sensitivity, and the use of traditional cultural practice are positive steps”
in recovery from alcoholism. We Native Americans believe that the sweat lodge
helps bring the individual closer to the elemental forces of life.
Pearls
of Wisdom
|
§
"Without motivation, it doesn't matter
what other resources you have," said Dirk Gibson, supervisor of the § Native American religious practices (re) establish the connection to Native culture and identity that can nurture a healthy self-image as well as provide the practitioner with a sense of genuine power - spiritual power.
|
Return
to Counselor Yazzie’s Introduction
