Personal Learning Objective Week 3 - The Sweat Lodge

The Inipi (Sweat Lodge)

One of the most misunderstood ceremonies of Native Americans is the Sweat Lodge. When the settlers came, they did not understand that the Inipi (Ee-nee-pee) was church for the Nations First Peoples. Just because Indians did not worship God in the same fashion as European Christians, sweat lodges were considered taboo or consisted of black magic. This misconception was and still is far from the truth and I plan to discuss its purpose.

The Inipi (or, as White man calls it, "sweatlodge") is a very important part of Lakota spirituality and culture. The fact that it is not referred to as Inipi, but rather a sweatlodge, shows the arrogance and ignorance of the people who are speaking of the practice (or actually attempting to build and use one)! As David Little Elk, Lakota musician and cultural activist, so eloquently said, "And please remember that to speak of this ceremony, one must look through Lakota Eyes, and not through some white man's interpretation of it."

Did you know there are different types of Inipi (Sweat Lodge) ceremonies? Many think the Sweat Lodge is only for cleansing and purification. But, this is not true; there are many kinds of Inipi or Sweat Lodges.

There are Sweat Lodge ceremonies held when a relative has died. These help the deceased person cross over to the other realm. They are usually held for four nights. Night is the time for the spirits of the deceased or "Wanagi". After the sun goes down, and especially between midnight and pre-dawn, they wake up and are moving around. The four days is the time when the newly deceased is able to communicate important messages and to say their goodbyes. These Sweat ceremonies are also for the mourners to end their official time of mourning. Which is usually 13 moons or approximately one year. The ceremony for the end of the time of mourning is called "Wasigala" and can be done without the Sweat Ceremony.

There are also Sweat Lodge ceremonies for the healing of illnesses. These are called "Doctoring Sweats".  These ceremonies may only have the patient and medicine person in the lodge. The rest of us would stay by the fire and pray or be busy in the house cooking. Or sometime there may be a few singers and other people close to the sick person inside the lodge.

Most of us have been to Sweat Lodges that contact the Tunkasilas or ancient beings for advice and guidance during difficult and perilous times. It is said that in the Sweat Lodge we meet the Tunkasila or elder spirits half way. These sweats are usually very hot. They make us so uncomfortable that we are forced to stay in a state of prayer, which is very far removed from our everyday busy worlds. This is how we meet the Tunkasilas half way. Some us don't eat or drink so that we are even further removed from our material world. Many of us let our hair loose and unbraided or untied. This is another way to remove us from the material world. We are not concerned with how we look. That is why your elders may tell you not to wear jewelry, or make-up.

Then there are Sweat Lodges for activating, renewing or cleansing of sacred objects, medicines or Chanunpas (sacred pipes). In the case for cleansing, these are very serious ceremonies. It means that something has happened to the sacred object that has harmed or weakened it. The need to cleanse a sacred object is a very sad thing. Many tears are shed during these ceremonies. For the renewal of a sacred object or medicine is far less serious and is a little like breathing fresh air into it and letting the sun shine all over it. Activating a sacred object is another serious ceremony. It is necessary when a person takes the responsibility of carrying a Chanunpa (sacred pipe) for the people. This is best done where the Buffalo Calf Pipe resides in Green Grass, South Dakota. Although, I have heard of it done in other places when necessary. Activating other types of sacred objects or medicine can happen anywhere, but usually takes a Medicine person to conduct the ceremony.

I myself have taken part in the Sweats asking for guidance from Tunkasila (Great Spirit Grandfather) and the one asking for healing of friends and family members. Let me just say that the ceremony is a very humbling, cleansing experience. The traditional Sweats were made for the purification of men only because women go through a purification cycle once a month. The mixed Sweats (men and women) came about during the 20th. Century. The only way a Sacred Pipe Man may conduct a mixed Sweat is through the approval of the elders of the tribe. For those who have not participated in a Sweat, the following is the protocol and what to expect during the ceremony.

Sweat Lodge Etiquette

Welcome  to the opportunity to participate and pray in the traditional ways of the Oglala Lakota people.  The "Inipi" ceremony is a very sacred ceremony for purification and prayers, and observance of some basic etiquette when participating is important.  The lodge represents Mother Earth and when we crawl in, we are at ground level showing that we are but small, humble people and when we crawl out at the end of the ceremony it is like a rebirth.  We leave all our problems in there with the Grandmothers (the hot stones)

Important:  No women should come into the lodge when they are on their "Sacred Monthly Time".  (You are still welcome to come and sit outside of the lodge, however.) Women are extremely powerful during moon time and this is considered a ceremony in itself. According to our elders we cannot be in two ceremonies at the same time.  It is also ancient custom that a woman on moon time not prepare/serve food.  This may seem archaic, ... yet there are spiritual traditions that actually support that a woman be served, respected and given relief from her duties at this time.  

Also Important:  No illicit drugs or alcohol is allowed on the premises and no one is allowed to come or participate under the influence of either of these substances.

If you have not attended a traditional Lakota lodge please be open to learn and ask questions.

* Do not arrive to a sweat lodge right before the ceremony.  This is considered in Native culture to be disrespectful. Sweat lodge will occur just prior or as close to sunset as possible so we don't end up going quite so late. 

* When women come into the lodge they should not wear slacks or jeans. Women come dressed in a skirt or dress that is at least below the knees, and a shirt that covers some of the arms and is long.  Bring different clothes to wear in the lodge than the ones you arrive in.  No sleeveless, tank tops or bathing suits.  We practice modesty.

* Bring a towel, and bring it into the lodge.

* In the lodge, men wear swim trunks or shorts with no metal on them.

* Wear no jewelry or heavy makeup (metal interferes with the energy and jewelry is considered a vanity that takes away from the humble aspects of

ceremony.)

* When you arrive, be sure to shake hands with the people and introduce yourself. You can learn to make prayer ties if you like (and you take these into the lodge and hang them over a bent willow, then take them to the sacred fire after).

* Prior to the sweat, and off side to the picnic table or bench while making prayer ties, we want to be sure to reflect on the meaning behind what we are doing, the prayers, and show respect to others by not talking about negative topics, gossip, or world events that would bring sad, stressful, sensational and/or  anxiety-provoking energy to the gathering.

* Be aware that there will be many sacred items sitting on the alter in front of the lodge and these are not to be touched.

* Do not stand around or throw anything in the sacred fire.  That fire is not a bonfire and is not meant for campfire purposes.  This is the fire that heats the sacred stones (grandmothers).

* Older women usually go into the lodge first.  Be sure to listen to the one pouring the lodge for any special instructions.

* The path to the sweat lodge will be smudged with sage prior to the ceremony.  After that time, walk around the lodge if you are needing to go past.

* Once we gather by the Inipi for the ceremony the fireman will smudge you with sacred sage or cedar to clear negative energy.

* First the spiritual leader officiating, Wicasa Ho Waste will load his "Channunpa" (sacred pipe) with tobacco while a song is sung..

* Allow the Lakota women and/or older elder women to go in first unless you have been instructed otherwise.

* Turn in a clockwise circle at the door, then crawl in and say "Mitakuye Oyasin" pronounced "Mee-tak-ew-aye-oy-ah-sinh" or in English "All my relations" as you enter the opening.  We crawl in to humble ourselves and then remind ourselves that we are all related.

* Crawl in a clockwise manner sitting next to the person ahead of you.  Be silent.  As the stones are brought in, a song called "The Four Directions"

is sung and everyone is encouraged to sing along and learn the songs. When the first seven stones (grandmothers) come in it is most respectful not to talk.  The sacred pipe is then passed around to each person and at that time, a prayer is said (either out loud or internally).

* Before the door closes, anyone will be given the option to leave the lodge if they are uncomfortable with anything, or the heat, and there is no shame in this.

*  The Old Ones say the power of the ceremony is in the circle being complete.  The closing of the door completes the circle, the opening of the door breaks the circle and should not be done until the ceremony is finished (usually about 25 minutes). However, please know that if you are ill, not feeling well, or just not feeling 'right' it is absolutely okay to ask to leave.

* Do not pull up the sides while the door is closed.

* Do not pull up the sides unless the one pouring the water gives you permission.

* It is good to drink plenty of water the day of a lodge.

* Be sure not to over-eat before a lodge.  You may become nauseous.

Important:  If you have blood sugar issues (or ANY health issues) please be sure to notify those conducting the ceremony.  If you have such health issues as hypoglycemia or borderline/diabetes, drink some orange juice and eat a little banana before going in.

* All throughout the ceremony you will hear sacred songs being sung and many prayers are prayed aloud.

* Varying with songs and prayer, after about 25 to 30 minutes, the door will be opened and as you stand outside the door, the fireman will offer a drink of water. Say "All my Relations" and take the drink of water, then walk clockwise around the sacred fire (you drop your prayer ties in here if you made them).

* Immediately dry off as it is important to wipe away the sweat and negativity that could be reabsorbed.

* Then put dry clothes on and come back and form a circle.

* The "Channunpa" (sacred pipe) is then smoked - this is blessed tobacco which represents our prayers. Note:  Never are any other substances smoked in a sacred pipe, other than tobacco.  In Native American Culture: "Nothing is more sacred. The pipe is our prayers in physical form. Smoke becomes our words; it goes out, touches everything, and becomes a part of all there is.

The fire in the pipe is the same fire in the sun, which is the source of life. The reason why tobacco is used to connect the worlds is that the plant¹s roots go deep into the earth, and its smoke rises high into the heavens."

* In the tradition of this sacred ceremony we then have the Potluck, which is an important part of the event.  It is taught that there must be balance in our lives of mental, physical, spiritual and emotional.  When we have participated in such a spiritual event, it is good to complete the circle of balance and get grounded again by participating in light hearted fellowship and food. Please bring a simple dish (if you can) and serving utensil that can be enjoyed outdoors, and prepare to take them immediately back home with you to wash there and return.

* Some special information about respectful etiquette and rituals to a spiritual leader officiating Sweat Lodge:  To present  tobacco in person, to a spiritual leader is to ask a question, -- this is not a gift.  The presented tobacco is the offering of a question for receiving assistance with something or advice. If you have a problem or issue you'd like to seek counsel about, need a pipe ceremony or prayers, you can present the spiritual leader with pure tobacco tied into a small pouch of red cloth (not plastic or other containers).  If the tobacco is accepted by the spiritual leader, then that represents an agreement to assist and you can then proceed to discuss issues/problems/requests.

* On special occasions a form of high respect is to present a small wooden bowl with a little water to the spiritual leader (this is symbolic for the water of life).  This is not something done very often, or on a regular basis, and is presented usually in special circumstances.

The following song is sung at the opening of the Inipi ceremony:

I would like to formally invite anyone who would like to participate in the next Inipi Ceremony on Sunday, April 29, 2012. If interested in participating, please let me know so I may give you directions.