Lakota Traditional Inipi Purification (lodge) Ceremony Protocol
HONOR Before you enter the Inipi clear your mind and enter this sacred space. You are entering a place and time of deep reverence. As you enter the circle you will be smudged with sage at the entry point of the circle outside the Inipi. The Inipi ceremony is a place to bring your prayers and offer them to the fire. Offerings of tobacco, cedar, copal, and other herbs are appropriate to give to the fire during the prayers in thanksgiving. Feel free to bring a drum or rattle so that you may join freely in songs and drumming while in ceremony. Bring a towel for you to use inside the Inipi as it will help as it get hot inside.
Purification Ceremony.
The Leader of a Inipi (sweat lodge) purification ceremony is known to be one who is Pouring Water. To conduct the cleansing the Leader will use heated lava stones to be brought into the lodge. No twoceremonies will ever be the same. Each is run according to the vision of the leader.
The number of grandfather stones brought into the lodge will vary. Ceremony is conducted in 4 rounds (or Doors) where the prayers are offered by the Leader and those who are present.
During the 1st round prayers are offered to the West;
in the 2nd to the North; in the 3rd to the South ;
and in the 4th to the East. During this round prayers are also offered to those who have crossed over.
Every Inipi has an altar set up in front of the opening (door) to the lodge. In Lakota tradition the door will face the West. Sacred items are placed on the altar, such as a Chanupa (pipe). A Pipe Carrier is looked upon with respect by the Lakota. Do not walk between the altar and the lodge. Each Inipi has a Firekeeper, a person of honor chosen by the Leader to tend the fire who will be outside during the ceremony.
RESPECT Please respect the sacredness of the ceremony with no talking once you enter the circle. When everyone has gathered around the Inipi people will be asked to enter the lodge in a clockwise fashion. We show respect by crawling to show humility and to demonstrate that we are no greater that our four leggeds. This is a sign of respect showing that we humble ourselves before the Creator. No show of ego is acceptable. Participants are asked to remain silent until the Leader asks for them to say a prayer or join in singing. Listen and watch quietly, as anything you need to know you will learn by observation and paying attention to the Leader.
If men and woman are both participating, no eye contact with a member of the opposite sex, lest that eye contact be misconstrued as flirting. Also, NO touching in the lodge, male or female; even if someone is crying, as touch may stop the flow of their emotions which need to be released.
Participants are asked to wear clothing that covers, legs, feet, and all parts of their body. No jewelry is to be worn.
Please respect the ceremony by not bringing cell phones, alcohol, drugs or firearms to the fire circle.
Women on their mensus are asked not to go anywhere near where the ceremony is being held. In the tradition of the Lakota lodge they are NOT allowed to participate in the ceremony.
Children are most welcome and we ask that they be advised of these protocols by their parent/guardian before joining the circle.
When praying be aware that naming an illness gives it Power. When offering a prayer for ourselves or others be mindful of the way we express it to Creator. For example when saying a prayer for someone who is suffering from Cancer, we would say something like “I offer a prayer for my sister XXX who is walking with a darkness in her physical body.” Also, no profanity or inappropriate behavior is welcomed.
Lakota protocol for prayers to the 6 directions: West – Wakia Nation – place of thunder beings / Water Color: Black North – Buffalo / Tatonka – Earth Color: Red East – Hayhakaka Nation – Air Color: Yellow South – Renewal – Fire Color: White Grandfather Sky - Color: Blue Grandmother Earth - Color: Green
We look forward to joining you in the Inipi
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