Sweat Lodge

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• Sweat house
• Medicine house
• Medicine lodge

Those are the other names used for the sweat lodge.

What is it?

It’s a ritual, a very important one and a ceremonial sauna. It’s used by some Native American peoples. The natives used three types

Hot Rock

• This was the method favored amongst the tribes. It was small and rather domed shape in appearance. Willows were gathered for the framework then it was covered with mud and blankets or animal skin.

• In order to support the granite rocks which are heated outside, then carried in,

A depression is dug near to the entrance.

• A buffalo horn is filled with water and the water sprinkled over the rocks to create the steam.

• The door flap is closed so that the steam doesn’t escape

• The Sioux believed that when the stem hissed on the rocks the universe’s creative force was being activated.

Direct Fire

• South West Indians and Alaskan Eskimos used this technique. The structure is larger, the fire is kept burning all day.

• In the evening, dancing, gossip and talk and occurred.

• The fire was increased even more to supply heat.

• As you can imagine the smoke got unbearable at times, when it did the guys would simply lie on the ground in order to get fresh air.

• The lodge was reserved for men so women would rarely enter

I say the women had a lucky escape! Breathing in so much smoke is not my idea of a night out, no offence to all you smokers!

Temescal

• The Mayan people were the first ones to use it. Although examples of this method no longer exists it can be seen in the hieroglyphics of the Mayan

• The Temescal was believed to be smaller than their normal buildings

The finer details

Even though rituals and traditions would vary in different tribes and regions there was a common theme, drumming, prayers and contributions to the spiritual world. As time went

on, they used and discovered methods that were rather easier. For example a lighter would be used to start up the fire. A truck used to heave rocks and wood.

At any moment in time the ceremonies can change if it’s required.

There are practices and some key elements common to the sweat lodges.

return from sweat lodge to natural healing home Go to part 2