Traditional Lakota Sweatlodge Stories?

Question

If any one can help me? I'm looking for something or someone to tell me the oral history, origins, philosophy, purpose, precedures, and representation (like rocks, the sturcture of the sweat lodge, etc.) of the Lakota Sweatlodge.
Thank You

Answer 1

I believe it is described in the book Hanta Yo by Ruth Beebe Hill

Answer 2

oral history, origins, philosophy, (sorry cant really help you here. )

purpose,

it is a cleansing of the soul and the body. it is much like being in the womb of the earth, and being re-born upon exiting.


precedures,

thoes are estreemly detailed. from laying a spirit line made of ground cornmeal and tobacco to creating a sacred fire to heat the stone people in.

but in basic 7 pieces of wood will be prayed upon to the 4 directions and then to the sky earth and the creator.

these will make the base fo the fire. the stones to heat the lodge will then be prayed over and 7 will be selected as the base. again 7 more prayers to the afore mentioned directions etc.

the number of stones will be decided by the medicine man that is running the lodge. a firekeeper is in charge of keeping the fire hot and the stones covered untill they are heated and ready (2 hours or more). durring this time it is considered extreemly bad form to cross between the firekeeper and the fire. or to turn your back to the fire.
only sage sweetgrass ceedar and tobacco may be added to the fire for the purpose of prayers and then only with the permission of the firekeeper.

the lodge itself (called an INIPI) is constructed of an even number of sapling trees that are harvested by warriors in a respectful manner. each tree is asked to give it's premission to be cut for the purpose of building the inipi. .

it is held together by sinew, or cotton rope as an alternative to killing animals for their sinew. there will be a depression dug out in the center of the lodge where the stones will be placed once hot.

the firekeeper will hand the stones into the Medicine man as his request. there will usually be 4 rounds of prayers and 4 times in which stones are added to the lodge. i pitchfork made of deer antlers is often used to handle the hot stones.

the firekeeper will then hand a bucket of water into the Medicine man and he (or a person with water rights) will dump ladles of water on the hot stones. the steam will heat the inside fo the lodge very quickly.

there are several sacred songs that can be sung (which i am not at liberty to post here) and prayers may be said. the Medicine man may offer some insight or teachings.

at any time you may leave the lodge by stating
"all my relations THE DOOR' or (A-Ho Mataquissen THE DOOR) this must be done when noone is praying or speaking or singing.

and representation (like rocks, the sturcture of the sweat lodge, etc.) of the Lakota Sweatlodge.

Answer 3

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