Who we are as Anishinabe: Mike Swan
Recently, people have been asking me about Etiquette when attending a ceremony or gathering.
People are being told of different etiquette at different locations, even on one reservation. There
are many different kinds of ceremonies (drum, pipe, sweat lodges, give-away, naming, pow
wow, fasting, weddings, burial, etc…) and no one runs their ceremony exactly the same as
someone else. There are some things I cannot write about and I will only cover a few now, and
may address others at a later date for the ones that I can.
At a beginning of a ceremony or gathering, there may be a drum present and a song will be sung
or the pipe may be smoked. To show honor and respect, people who are able should stand while
the drum is playing or the pipe is being used.
A pregnant woman or one in their "moon" (menstruating) should not attend ceremonies. I was
told to ask them nicely, if she can step out, until the ceremony is done. She can come back into
the room or location where the ceremony is done.
Sweat Lodge Etiquette
A sweat lodge is not for everyone. The ceremony brings you spiritually to the womb of the
Mother Earth and physically tests you with earth, air, fire and water. These physical tests are not
for those with personal conditions that are exacerbated by confined space, heat, steam, and close
proximity to others. There are four rounds or doors of the sweat, you are asked to endure
physical tests of your body.
Sweats are designed to challenge and purify you physically, mentally, and spiritually. They heal
and strengthen the spirit, force the mind into relaxing and push the body to its limits. Sweats are
led by someone who is looked upon as a teacher of ceremony. A sweat provides an environment
for learning, to teach and to purify. There are also sweats whose specific purpose is to aid in
healing or the vision quest.
I will not try to talk about traditional sweats and new age sweats, however I will say the trouble
that some new agers encounter regarding sweats revolves around money. A traditional sweat
leader does not seek money for ceremony, and frowns upon anyone who does a sweat or
purification ceremony for money.
There is work that goes into tending, preparing and protecting the sweat, maintaining the
coverings, gathering the wood, building and guarding the fire, keeping the door, "pouring the
water," leading the prayers, and providing for the feast afterwards. If you don’t help out, provide
food, or otherwise contribute, you won’t be asked back. If you cannot contribute physically, it is
appropriate to give a gift to those who work hard for you. If you do not contribute, you owe a
debt to all involved. If a person attends a ceremony, such as a sweat, they should bring a gift and
tobacco.
In regard to the sweat itself, there are few norms of traditional etiquette. One enters the sweat
lodge and moves in the lodge, to the left when you face the center of the lodge. Since this is a
ceremony, pregnant women or those in their "moon" (menstruating) do not attend. All attendees
are "smudged." From the fire to the lodge entry is a "spirit path" that normally is not crossed,
except by the door keeper or fire tender.
Modest dress is expected at the sweat lodge. Modest dress for women normally means a loose
fitting cotton dress. Some women make a "sweat dress" out of towels. For others it is a "sweat"
or swim suit. For men, shorts or swim suits are normal. For safety reasons no metal or large
adornment should be worn.
The most important part of sweat lodge etiquette is silence. The lodge itself is loud, with the
hissing of water on red hot rocks and prayers of others. Silence is needed to pay attention to the
other attendees and to the leader. The leader will direct and guide the ceremony and convey
special instructions, which is very difficult to do without silence. One learns to "endure" by
observing physically and spiritually how the others endure. Sometimes a word of help is needed
to overcome one’s physical stress or fear, but the word cannot be heard without silence.
Observation and attention are activities of silence.
There are many similarities and differences among ceremonies of sweat leaders. The
commonality is based upon the four elements, the four directions, the four winds, the four ages
and so on. It is wise to know the leader and the ceremony before you sweat. Each sweat is
different, not just because the leaders are human but because the earth, air, fire and water are
different with the seasons. If you are concerned about how a sweat will be led, ask if you can
observe from the outside of the lodge. It is normal etiquette for a leader to let you do this. A great
deal can be learned from outside the lodge which can enhance your participation in the ceremony
in the lodge.
The sweat is a very old and powerful ceremony. It has been kept alive by Native Americans in
spite of genocide and religious persecution. It is good etiquette to be thankful.
Give-away
I thought it would be nice to mention something on the Native American custom of the ‘giveaway’ which is practiced at honor dances, weddings, and on many other occasions. It is a
beautiful practice. When an honor dance is held for a particular person, that person (or the family
of that person) is the gift-giver and the gifts are given to the guests. In most other societies, it is
the exact opposite, in that the honored one is the person who ‘expects the gifts from the guests.’
In the Native culture, many times ‘the most valuable’ is saved to give away and ‘storing or
hording things’ is not understood. There is a high value placed on giving away and sharing what
is ours. Once something is given away, all strings to that gift are broken. The gift is given with
no expectations. People should accept the gift that is handed to them rather than want something
else that is in the give-away. Native people believe that what is given always comes back to the
giver in one way or another in another form of good.
I believe that one of the greatest gifts is when you give your time to others, in whatever form it is
given. Although it is now the season for giving, it is good and healthy to be generous in spirit
throughout the year.