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The sweat lodge is a ceremonial Sauna used by North American First Nations or Native American peoples. There are several styles of sweat lodge including a domed or oblong hut similar to a Wickiup , a Teepee , or even a simple hole dug into the ground and covered with planks or tree trunks. Stones are heated in an exterior fire and then placed in a hole in the middle of the floor.

In the northern part of North America, the sweat lodge is a low dome-like structure built on dirt (as opposed to grass or forest brush). Traditionally it is built with a frame of Willow branches, which are long, thin and very flexible. Lodges range in sizes, with diameters from nearly 2 m (six feet) to well over 6 m (eighteen or ninteen feet). They range from 1-1.5 m (three to five feet) in height, as the participants sit or lay down during the ceremony.

The willow structure is then covered with either blankets and animal skins. Sometimes permanent walls of clay are built over the willow frame. The walls must be thick enough for the lodge to be completely dark inside and to keep in as much heat as possible. A shallow hole is dug in the dirt in the center of the lodge where the stones from the fire pit will be placed.

During the ceremony, the participants encircle the stone pit inside the lodge. The Medicine Man , leader of the ceremony, receives the glowing hot stones from the firekeeper and places them in the pit. when enough stones have been placed in the lodge, the medicine man closes the door and pours water on top of the stones to fill the lodge with steam. This happens three or four times, with periods of between ten minutes to an hour spent sweating in the lodge.


TRADITIONS

Rituals and traditions vary from region to region. They often include prayers, drumming, and offerings to the spirit world. Some common practices and key elements associated with sweat lodges include:
  • Orientation – The door usually faces the fire, forming a duality between the lodge and the fire. This duality is, in many traditions, symbolic of the male-female or heaven-earth dualities. Directions usually have carry distinct symbolism in Native American ceremonies ( 1 ). The lodge may be oriented within its environment for a specific purpose; for example, a lodge constructed near a lake could be run with the intention of connecting to the spirit of the lake. Placement and orientation of the lodge within its environment often facilitates the ceremony's connection with the spirit world.

  • Construction – The lodge is generally built with great care and with respect to the environment and to the materials being used. Many traditions construct the lodge in complete silence, some have a drum playing while they build, other traditions have the builders fast during construction.

  • Nudity – Contrary to some modern New Age teachings, Nudity was not a normal part of the Sweat Lodge experience. Numerous New Age and Shamanic societies run nudist sweat lodges. In traditional lodges, as in most modern ones, clothing was to be worn modestly.

  • Offerings – Tobacco , Sweet Grass , Redcedar , and other plants are often used to make prayers, give thanks or make other offerings. They can be smoked in a peace pipe or cornhusk pipe, sprinkled on the hot stones or offered to the fire. Prayer Tie s are also made in many traditions to set the intention of the lodge, show gratitude, purify one's self before the lodge, summon support from the spirit world, and other such purposes.

  • Support – In many traditions, one or more persons (sometimes called "dog soldiers") will remain outside the sweat lodge to protect the ceremony, and assist the participants. Sometimes they will help tend the fire and place the hot stones, though usually this is done by a designated Firekeeper .



Etiquette

The most important part of sweat lodge etiquette is respecting the traditions of the lodge leader. Some lodges are done in complete silence, while others involve singing, chanting, wailing, drumming, or other sound. It is important you know what is allowed and expected before entering a lodge. Many traditional tribes place a high value on modesty in respect to the lodge. In clothed lodges, women are usually expected to wear skirts or short-sleeved dresses of a longer length. Traditions forbid nudity in mixed sex sweats. Many lodge leaders do not allow menstruating women (these women are often referred to a being on their moon-time) to participate in ceremonies. Some will run a separate lodge for menstrating women. Still others allow them into the lodge after they have completed a purifying ritual, such as making a belt of Prayer Tie s. Perhaps the most important piece of etiquette is gratitude. It is important to be thankful to the people joining you in the lodge, and those helping to support the lodge.


RISKS

Wearing metal jewellery can be dangerous as metal objects may become hot enough to burn the wearer. Contact lenses and synthetic clothing should not be worn in sweat lodges as the heat can cause the materials to melt and adhere to eyes, skin, and whatever they might be touching. Cotton clothing is recommended for lodges. Although the temperature in a sweat lodge can reach that of a traditional sauna, partakers in a ceremony can stay inside for several hours at a time. Some argue that this is due to the ceremonial nature of the lodge. However, emphasis is placed on knowing one's own limits and knowing when to leave. There have been reports of lodge-related deaths resulting from overexposure to heat, dehydration, and smoke inhalation. Even people who are experienced with sweats could suddenly experience problems due to underlying health issues. It is recommended that people should be checked by a physician before any sweat lodge experience. If rocks are used, it is important not to use river rocks, volcanic rocks, or other kinds of rocks that have air pockets inside them. be ''certain'' that they are completely dry before heating. Rocks with air pockets or excessive moisture will most likely crack and possibly explode in the fire or when hit by water.


SEE ALSO



EXTERNAL LINK

Adapted from the notes of Hopoyv Fekseko (D. Joseph Alderson)