Sweat lodge

Sweat lodge is a low profile hut, typically dome-shaped or oblong, and made with natural materials. The structure is the lodge, and the ceremony performed within the structure may be referred to as a purification ceremony or simply a sweat. Traditionally, it is a ceremony for purification or healing, and the structure itself is often considered sacred.

History

The sweat lodge is a significant part of many Native American cultures in the United States and First Nations cultures in Canada. The specific customs and practices vary between tribes, but the general principle remains the same. The sweat lodge is seen as a place of spiritual refuge and mental and physical healing, a place to get answers and guidance by asking spiritual entities, ancestors, animal spirits, or the Creator for the needed wisdom and power.

Construction

A sweat lodge is typically a dome-shaped structure made from natural materials. The frame can be made from willow branches, covered with hides or blankets. The floor is usually bare earth, but some tribes use a layer of sage. The lodge is often built near a river or stream, or a pit is dug and filled with water for the sweat lodge ceremony.

Ceremony

The ceremony itself often involves various stages of prayer, purification, and meditation. Participants enter the lodge, which is heated by a central fire pit in which hot stones are placed. Water is then poured over the stones to create steam, and the heat and steam are used to cleanse and purify the body and spirit.

Health benefits

While the sweat lodge ceremony is primarily a spiritual practice, it also has physical health benefits. The heat and steam can help to detoxify the body, improve circulation, and promote relaxation. However, it's important to note that the ceremony can be physically demanding and may not be suitable for everyone.

Controversies

There have been controversies surrounding the use of sweat lodges by non-Native people, particularly in the context of the New Age movement. Some Native American and First Nations people feel that the use of sweat lodges by non-Native people is a form of cultural appropriation.

See also

• Sauna
• Temazcal
• Banya (sauna)

Sweat lodge Resources
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