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Ifa, as an earth based spiritual practice, has much in common with Native indigenous practices which is why we include it,here, on songs for the lodge. This connection between Native Indigenous and Africans is sound from a historical perspective as scholars have long documented that Africans came to the Americas long before Columbus and in doing so brought and mingled their traditions with the local populations. It is because of htis connection that Africans were able to run into the “bushes” of Florida and live with and marry among the Seminole and Cree People without harm.
We find that the blogging still going on tying the sweat lodge deaths to the anger around cultural appropriation issues inappropriate and heartless. No participant deserved this to happen.
We know that lodges are safe when facilitated by individuals who know the cultural, spiritual and safety practices of the purification ceremony. Lodges facilitated by non First-Nations people are also beneficial, when conducted with cultural-spiritual integrity and strict adherence to safety protocol. Spirit is not limited by our cultural-racial identities and is not mono-lingual. A friend of mine has an ancestor that speaks Twee. I understand and can interpret only when I listen with my higer emotions.
I am often asked, why do people do sweat lodges? The purpose of the lodge, better known as a purification ceremony, is just that, to purify the body, mind and spirit. Modern health advocates have long recognized the effectiveness of steam in helping to release toxins from the body through sweating. The process of heating, steaming, cooling the body in progressively longer periods provokes a rapid release of toxins from the body core. The intervals of heating and cooling the body over several cycles has also been proven to boost the immune system. The process of going in and out of a hot tub or sauna, progressively heating then cooling the body, has similar effects.
The ceremony, because of the heat and steam, causes the body to release endorphins; the “feel good ” hormone. I recall reading studies in my earlier years that Native American clientele had higher success rates of recovery from alcohol addiction when they regularly participated in traditional purification ceremonies. Success was, in part, attributed to higher self esteem due to reclaiming cultural identity. Also critically important to this success was that the stimulated endorphin release gave a natural chemical alternative to alcohol.
“Our First Nations People have to earn the right to pour the mini wic¹oni
(water of life) upon the inyan oyate (the stone people) in creating Inikag¹a
- by going on the vision quest for four years and four years Sundance. Then
you are put through a ceremony to be painted – to recognize that you have
now earned that right to take care of someone¹s life through purification.
They should also be able to understand our sacred language, to be able to
understand the messages from the Grandfathers, because they are ancient,
they are our spirit ancestors. They walk and teach the values of our
culture; in being humble, wise, caring and compassionate.”Arvol Looking Horse
19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred Pipe Bundle
http://blogs.rapidcityjournal.com/indigenous_pov/?p=51
A News Video Account of when things go horribly wrong: http://www.azcentral.com/video/
#/Blind+faith+and+abuse+of+power/45857042001
We send our condolences to the family and friends of the individuals that died in the Sedona, AZ sweat lodge tragedy. We know that lodges are safe when facilitated by individuals who know the cultural, spiritual and safety practices of the purification ceremony. We pray that all peoples receive healing through this loss and support thorugh this time of crisis..
