Blog, Autor článku: JITKA MANDALAM, 26. listopadu 2020

Indian Sauna - History of Sauna

Indian Sauna, or Sweat Lodge, and Its Global Significance

The Indian sauna, also known as the sweat lodge, is a ceremony of the Native American tribes, though similar heated spaces are found worldwide. The beneficial effects of heating and purifying the body have been recognized by cultures such as the Finns, from whom the word "sauna" originates. In Finnish, "sauna" means "bath."

Indigenous tribes in Mexico refer to their sweat lodges as Temazcal. Slavic roots of saunas gave rise to the so-called Banyas in Russia, which are steam saunas. In Islamic culture, the Turkish saunas, or Hammams, play a similar role. The Lakota people use the word Inipi for a sweat lodge, meaning a "stone house."

In the Czech Republic, the tradition of saunas has a long history, possibly dating back to the 10th century. Slavic saunas were wooden huts insulated with moss and equipped with stones and ventilation holes. At that time, saunas were primarily used to treat various skin conditions.

Throughout centuries and across continents and cultures, these heat dwellings and sweat lodges have served many purposes. They were primarily spaces for warming up and cleansing the body, as well as for relaxation. Additionally, they were places for social gatherings, and due to their informal nature, they were often venues for meditation, religious rituals, and healing practices. In some instances, saunas witnessed the beginnings and ends of life—women gave birth in them, and the elderly passed away there. Sweat lodges represented significant spiritual centers.

The Ceremony of the Stone People

This ceremony takes place in a lodge made of twigs and covered with blankets, where hot stones are placed. Historically, Native Americans in the mountains used caves for this purpose, while on the prairies, they used buffalo hides to cover the round twig structures.

The very name "Stone People" speaks to the Native American relationship with nature. They regard stones as living beings, equal to humans. Each stone is greeted with the words, "Welcome, brother!" or "Welcome, sister!" This is why this sauna practice is also called the Ceremony of the Stone People.

The event of the Ceremony of the Stone People lasts all day. The participants come together to build the sweat lodge from twigs, prepare the fire, and heat the stones. In the evening, at twilight, they enter the sweat lodge. The ceremony itself typically lasts around an hour and a half. It consists of four parts, between which participants may exit to cool off. Songs are sung, and each of the four parts is dedicated to one of the elements and prayers.