Review (PDF) The Lakota Ritual Of The Sweat Lodge: History And Contemporary Practice (Studies In The Anthropology Of North American Indians)

                
              
Review (PDF) 
The Lakota Ritual Of The Sweat Lodge: History And Contemporary Practice (Studies In The Anthropology Of North American Indians)
For centuries, a persistent and important component of Lakota religious life has been the Inipi, the ritual of the sweat lodge. The sweat lodge has changed little in appearance since its first recorded description in the late seventeenth century. The ritual itself consists of songs, prayers, and other actions conducted in a tightly enclosed, dark, and extremely hot environment. Participants who “sweat” together experience moral strengthening, physical healing, and the renewal of social and cultural bonds. Today, the sweat lodge ritual continues to be a vital part of Lakota religion. It has also been open to use, often controversial, by non-Indians. The ritual has recently become popular among Lakotas recovering from alcohol and drug addiction. This study is the first in-depth look at the history and significance of the Lakota sweat lodge. Bringing together data culled from historical sources and fieldwork on Pine Ridge Reservation, Raymond A. Bucko provides a detailed discussion of continuity and changes in the “sweat” ritual over time. He offers convincing explanations for the longevity of the ceremony and its continuing popularity.
Series: Studies in the Anthropology of North American Indians
Paperback: 340 pages
Publisher: Bison Books (August 1, 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0803261659
ISBN-13: 978-0803261655
Product Dimensions:  6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review:  4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #839,415 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)   #280 in Books > History > World > Religious > Ethnic & Tribal   #476 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Mythology & Folk Tales > Folklore   #1438 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Customs & Traditions
This book was very well done. Many people who are looking for information on what to expect from sweatlodges in general will benefit from this book. The author gives a good amount of information about the history and the many different styles of the inipi ceremony. I personally have been in many different inipi (sweatlodge) ceremonies and found that there are different styles but there are a lot of common things as well. This book is well written and well worth the read. The author sticks to just the plains indians style of lodges and does not go to compare with the many different styles of sweatlodges around the country and around the world. I liked that he kept his information consistant and from the people who wanted to share it first hand. There were quite a few people who shared information that might take a lifetime of looking to find.
this book is uber technical, as you might expect from an jesuit. the descriptions are very anthropological, and overly complete, but it is quite a book. i intend to finish it, but it is rather dry. I have been doing ceremony on a lakota reservation for 25 years, and know a lot about the ceremony. have sweat with dozens of medicine men, and others. so far, the book is a tough read and not what I had expected, but there is a long way to go, and i think it is not a waste of time.I don't know what i was expecting, but am utterly relieved to NOT read some new age drivel about a lakota ceremony. Jesuits are usually rather accurate, albeit academic. This writer writes from experience, with a strong academic flavor.
About a year ago, a neighbor talked about a Lakota Sweatlodge that several men were involved in. He further suggested that because I was in recovery from alcoholism, that I'd be welcome, despite my European heritage and ignorance of Indian affairs. After attending, enjoying and wanting to try again, I've been a regular attendee at least once a month. Since I've been a regular, they've even invited me to other Sweats. These men are serious about their beliefs and helpful with newcomers. This book has helped me engage in conversation as much of their practice is sacred and not exactly 'advertised'.
This book was a wonderful source of information for me to learn more about a ceremony that I'd been through countless times. The Sweatlodge is a powerful ritual on many different levels & this book sheds some light on that, especially for those of us not brought up in the Lakota culture.
This book is a historical and educational book about the ritual of the sweat lodge. Unless you are wanting that approach to learning about the sweat lodge ritual, it can be a little dry, like a textbook. My husband attends a sweat lodge ceremony each month. Therefore, he experiences and is emersed in the rituals that are part of the sweat lodge ceremony, so he enjoyed the book and read it cover-to-cover.
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