Origin of the Sweat Lodge

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Origin of the Sweat Lodge Blackfeet/Piegan Native American Lore

 

 

 

The Piegan tribe was southernmost at the headwaters of the Missouri

River in Montana, a subtribe belonging to the Siksika Indians of North

Saskatchewan in Canada. Piegans were of the Algonquian linguistic family, but

warlike toward most of their neighbouring tribes, since they had horses for

raiding and were supplied with guns and ammunition by their Canadian sources.

Piegans also displayed hostility toward explorers and traders. Several smallpox

epidemics decimated their population. Now they are gathered on reservations on

both sides of the border. A girl of great beauty, the Chief's daughter, was

worshipped by many young handsome men of the Piegan tribe. But she would not

have any one of them for her husband. One young tribesman was very poor and

his face was marked with an ugly scar. Although he saw rich and handsome men of

his tribe rejected by the Chief's daughter, he decided to find out if she would

have him for her husband. When she laughed at him for

even asking, he ran away toward the south in shame. After travelling several

days, he dropped to the ground, weary and hungry, and fell asleep. From the

heavens, Morning-Star looked down and pitied the young unfortunate youth,

knowing his trouble. To Sun and Moon, his parents, Morning-Star said, " There

is a poor young man lying on the ground with no one to help him. I want to go

after him for a companion. " " Go and get him, " said his parents. Morning-Star

carried the young man, Scarface, into the sky. Sun said, " Do not bring him into

my lodge yet, for he smells ill. Build four sweat lodges. " When this was done,

Sun led Scarface into the first sweat lodge. He asked Morning-Star to bring a

hot coal on a forked stick. Sun then broke off a bit of sweet grass and placed

it upon the hot coal. As the incense arose Sun began to sing, " Old Man is coming

in with his body; it is sacred, " repeating it four times. Sun passed his hands

back and forth through the smoke and

rubbed them over the face, left arm, and side of Scarface. Sun repeated the

ceremony on the boy's right side, purifying him and removing the odours of

earthly people. Sun took Scarface into the other three sweat lodges,

performing the same healing ceremony. The body of Scarface changed color and he

shone like a yellow light. Using a soft feather, Sun brushed it over the

youth's face, magically wiping away the scar. With a final touch to the young

man's long, yellow hair, Sun caused him to look exactly like Morning-Star. The

two young men were led by Sun into his own lodge and placed side by side in the

position of honour. " Old Woman, " called the father. " Which is your son? "

Moon pointed to Scarface, " That one is our son. " " You do not know your own

child, " answered Sun. " He is not our son. We will call him

Mistaken-for-Morning-Star, " as they all laughed heartily at the mistake. The

two boys were together constantly and became close companions. One day, they

were on an adventure when Morning-Star pointed out some large birds with very

long, sharp beaks. " Foster-Brother, I warn you not to go near those dangerous

creatures, " said Morning-Star. " They killed my other brothers with their beaks. "

Suddenly the birds chased the two boys. Morning-Star fled toward his home, but

Foster-Brother stopped, picking up a club and one by one struck the birds dead.

Upon reaching home, Morning-Star excitedly reported to his father what had

happened. Sun made a victory song honouring the young hero. In gratitude for

saving Morning-Star's life, Sun gave him the forked stick for lifting hot embers

and a braid of sweet grass to make incense. These sacred elements necessary for

making the sweat lodge ceremony were a gift of trust. " And this my sweat lodge

I give to you, " said the Sun. Mistaken- for-Morning-Star observed very carefully

how it was constructed, in his mind preparing himself to one day returning to

earth. When Scarface did

arrive at his tribal village, all of his people gathered to see the handsome

young man in their midst. At first, they did not recognize him as Scarface. " I

have been in the sky, " he told them. " Behold me, Morning-Star looks just like

this. The Sun gave me these things used in the sweat lodge healing ceremony.

That is how I lost my ugly scar. " Scarface explained how the forked stick and

sweet grass were used. Then he set to work showing his people how to make the

sweat lodge. This is how the first medicine sweat lodge was built upon earth by

the Piegan tribe. Now that Scarface was so very handsome and brought such a

great blessing of healing to his tribe, the Chief's beautiful daughter became

his wife. In remembrance of Sun's gift to Scarface and his tribe, the Piegans

always make the sweat lodge healing ceremony an important part of their annual

Sun Dance Celebration.

 

 

 

With the thunder of the Buffalo's hooves,may all hearts beat as one!!!!

With Love Light Peace and Blessings, WhiteBuffaloHawkeWoman

 

 

Forget not that the earth delights to feel your barefeet & the

winds long to play with your hair,And the Goddess always Bless you.

Air I am, Fire I am, Water, Earth, and Spirit I am!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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