January 1994
Page 7
CULTURE AND TRADITION
Smoke Signals
"A Way Of Life" Sweat Lodge, Part II
The following article is the last part of a story about
the cultural significance of the Sweat Lodge.
What one wears into the Sweat Lodge is entirely up
to the individual. Towels, sheets, shorts, sundresses, or
sweat dresses are comfortable. Some people wear things they
can take off during the sweat because they are more
comfortable in nothing. Those who take their sweat clothes
off during ceremony are asked to cover themselves when the
door is open to help others feel comfortable in the Sweat
Lodge.
There are certain things one does not wear in the
Sweat Lodge. Necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets made
of metal should not be worn , as they might get hot enough
to burn, and the spirits do not like shiny things. Eyeglasses
and contact lenses should be removed for safety reasons.
When we enter the Sweat Lodge, we follow the one
who pours the water in a clockwise circle around the Sweat
Lodge. We follow clockwise, because this is the way the sun
travels. All women who are going to sweat will follow the
one who pours the water, and all men will come in after the
women. We make a circle at the door or go around the back
of the Sweat Lodge, get down on all fours and crawl like the
four-legged to our place, then sit up like the winged.
When the one who pours the water goes in, heshe
will pray for a good ceremony and blessings for everyone
there. Sometimes heshe will blow an eagle whistle to call
the eagle to join us in this ceremony. When the one who pours
the water begins to drum and sing, this is the signal to enter
the Sweat Lodge.
When we go through the door of the Sweat Lodge,
we say aloud, "ALL MY RELATIONS". This may be spoken
in one's native tongue or in English. When we are seated, the
tobacco ties will be hung over our heads in the ribs of the
Sweat Lodge.
When the one who pours the water has offered first
prayers, the Pipe is then given to the person sitting directly
across from himher and asked that person to greet the stones
as they come through the door
by touching the end of the
Pipe stem to each stone and
saying, "Welcome, Brother".
In the first round,
the one who pours the water
asks the stone tender to carry
inacertain amount of stones,
one at a time. When the
stone tender passes the stone
through the door heshe will
say, "All my relations" with
each stone. The one who
pours the water picks up each
stone with the antlers and
places it in the pit. There
will be a stone to represent
each direction, Grandfather,
Mother Earth, the universe,
and you. After each stone is
placed, cedar is sprinkled on
it making a smudge to purify
the Sweat Lodge and free it
of any negative vibrations.
The Pipe is smoked
and a song is sung to honor
the Pipe.
Water is very
sacred, as is represents the
"lifeblood" ofMother Earth.
Through the blood ofMother
Earth, we live, without it we
do not. Water is also the breath of GrandfatherGod as it
turns to steam when we pour it on the stones. It makes us
sweat out all our impurities, helping us to feel better.
Throughout the ceremony, it will get very hot in the
Sweat Lodge. If you get too hot, you can turn around and put
your face next to Mother Earth, and she will help cool you.
If it gets so hot you cannot take anymore, just yell, "All my
relations" and at ANYTIME the door will be opened.
Then the door is closed so no light is visible. It is
so dark that there is no difference between man, woman,
human, or spirit. We are all one entity at this time.
After the calling songs are sung, the one who pours
the water asks if anyone has anymore songs to be sung, and
is given an opportunity to sing them. Then everyone says in
a clockwise direction, "All My Relations", and the stone
tender opens the door.
Now everyone has a chance to cool off, get a breath
of fresh air, and come back in. There may be an period of
questions and answers. Some may get a little lighthearted,
but it is important to remember to be respectful.
When everyone comes back in, it is time for the
second round. This is the prayer round. Everyone will have
an opportunity to pray at this time. You may pray aloud or
in silence, remembering to pass it on to the next person by
saving aloud, "All My Relations". More stones are brought
in for the prayer round. A prayer song is sung and we proceed
with the prayers. When everyone has finished praying, we
yell, "All My Relations" and the stone tender will open the
door.
The third round is called the "Suffer Round". In this
round we willingly suffer for the hurts and wrongs we have
done to others. We suffer for the people that are in sorrow
or sick, and suffering themselves. To some this may seem a
little frightening, but to suffer in this way helps one to deal
with hisher feelings.
In this round, a dipper of water is passed around,
one for each person. Each person uses the water in the
manner they see fit. Some water dippers prefer you take a
drink and pass it on. Others will give you a full dipper. You
can drink the water or pour it on hurt or sick places on your
body. The water is holy and will heal and relieve the pain.
You can pour the water over your head to cool off. You can
pray with the water and offer it to people who are in need of
special strengths and prayers.
After the water is shared, the door is closed. The one
who pours the water prays for everyone to have the strength
they need to suffer for the reason they choose. A song is sung
that is usually meant for suffering. Water is poured on the
stones during the entire song to make the Sweat Lodge really
hot.
Next is the fourth round. We do not refer to it as the
last roundbecause we all hope to be able to return to the Sweat
Lodge. The one who pours the water offers prayers for the
people and all our relations, for safe journeys to our homes,
and good learnings and health for all. Then a song is sung,
and the rest of the time is used for meditation, prayers, or
songs from anyone. When everyone is finished, the Going
Back song is sung to send the spirits home and let them know
the ceremony is over. We leave the Sweat Lodge in the same
manner we came in, crawling on all fours in a clockwise
direction.
While we are sweating, the stone tender is kept very
busy. This person must keep the stones in the fire completely
covered with wood so they will stay hot for the next rounds.
In the fourth round, heshe brings in all the stones but one.
One is left for the spirits to sweat with, and it also honors the
spirits who come and join us. In this way, the stone tender
is a very important part of the ceremony.
After the ceremony, everyone is allowed time to
cool off and get dressed. Some will prepare a meal to share.
The meal is an important part of the ceremony, as we share
all our good feelings. The meal is usually a potluck and will
turn out to be a pretty good feast. Even if there is only water
to share, it is important that we share something. We are a
sharing people and sharing food and water is very important
to us.
When the meal is
finished, we may have a
"Talking Circle". Everyone
sits in a circle, and candles
are lit. Everyone quiets down
and relaxes. One person
usually leads the circle. He
she holds and eagle feather
and chooses a topic to talk
about. No one interrupts the
person holding the eagle
feather. When the person is
finished, they pass it to their
left. No one is obligated to
talk.
The Pipe and Sweat
Lodge are a way of life for
many people. They are very
precious tools which can be
used to help a person get in
touch with hisher inner-self
and their Creator. The Sweat
Lodge is a place of love,
brotherhood, peace, and
contentment. The Sweat
Lodge and Pipe are ways of
the Red Road that our Native
American people are willing
to share with all mankind.