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June 17, 2003 I have known for several years that I’m of Native American extraction – Mohawk through the Crysler line in Canada - but until I retired, I didn’t have the time to research my heritage. My great grandfather was a medicine man – herb healer – but I had never heard of the Sweat Lodge Ceremony until I moved to Northern California. The concept of a sweat lodge has its roots in a sacred ceremony intended for cleansing, worship and healing in order to purify the body, mind and spirit according to Native American tradition. Although it is known throughout Indian cultures, the ritual seems to be mainly rooted among the Plains and Northwest Indian groups. Traditionally, the lodge was an oval shaped mound built to symbolize the womb of Mother Earth, but modern lodges are constructed on four poles to represent the four winds – the four directions of Mother Earth – north, east, south and west. Plains Indians stretched buffalo hides across the top but today blankets are used as the tent covering. The opening flap always faces the east to greet the rising sun. There is a circular pit dug in the center of the tent where lava rocks, heated, to a white hot, outside the structure, are carried to the entrance by the fire tender. The medicine man, with a small shovel places them in the circular pit, then closes the tent flap and the ceremony begins. While chanting, he splashes water scented with seasoned herbs, usually sage, on the rocks to create steam. The hot moist air is used for rituals of purification, spiritual renewal, the traditional way of cleansing mind, body and spirit. The medicine man continues his prayers to the Creator and Great Spirit in a monotone accompanied by a participant beating out a steady rhythm on a small tom-tom with a padded stick. The over all effect is mesmerizing, giving rise to the hypnotic powers the traditional shaman held over tribal members. Women and men are allowed to sit side by side during the ceremony, but following Native American tradition, menstruating and pregnant women are not allowed to participate. The ceremony has become very popular among “New Age” healers who feel the sweat lodge experience can be particularly beneficial when a person is experiencing a critical transitional phase of life. There are physical benefits as sweat rids the body of impurities, but purification process is not is not for everyone. People with heart disease and lung disorders are discouraged from participating in the ceremony. For the Native American, the Sweat Lodge Ceremony is a sacrament, a sacred ritual. It is the process of renewal through the integration of spiritual and physical forces of life, not unlike a Christian going to church or Mass to hear a sermon and receive Holy Communion. ------------ About the author: Bobbie Hart O’Neill is a retired print media journalist, CSU-Sacramento, ’74, with 40 years experience in the field. She has worked as a reporter, feature writer, columnist, public relations writer, magazine/newsletter editor and publisher. She is currently a freelance writer residing in Yuma, Arizona and has published a children’s book, written three screenplays and a novel. In addition, she is interested in civic affairs, politics, current events, ethnology and animals. Email Bobbie: bobbieo@digitaldune.net Comment on this column in the forum. ------------ |
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