Prayers In a Lakota Sweat Lodge
06-22-2025, Zig Tahir
Media: Ink and watercolor
Media: Ink and watercolor
After getting cleansed with smoke, I crouched down at the entrance of the sweat lodge, putting my forehead on the ground and saying a prayer of gratitude. The floor was wet and muddy with a central depression filled with hot stones from Grandfather Fire outside the lodge. The Shaman invited me in and directed me to fill in the circle of people already sitting around the floor of the dome-shaped structure covered with tarps. He closed the door enclosing us in complete darkness with a strong smell of smoke and wet heat surrounding me.
He briefly explained the ceremony began prayers that resonated in my heart and body and to all parts of the sweat lodge. There was energy and power in his voice. I was grateful to be in presence of such power. As he prayed and as the heat of the sweat lodge increased he splashed water on the rocks generating swirling steam that wrapped every aspect of my body. Stifling heat, prayers, emotions, thoughts and sweat dripped from my body.
The Shaman invited us all to take turns starting from his left, to say prayers in our own ways or even in silence, requesting only that we would finish by saying, "Aho". All in intense heat, dripping in sweating, water splashing on the rocks creating and envelope of steam.
My turn
I prayed for myself, my children, my new paths and relationships that are emerging, of shedding my old skin, of thanking Earth, the rocks and the plants.
Aho.
Everyone else took their turns with heartfelt prayers in their own ways.
We eventually all exited and had the opportunity to thank and hug everyone. I felt deep feelings of connection, of gratitude and tearful emotions bursting out. I played my flute by Grandfather Fire. And then felt drawn to the streams, walking on stones and with my feet sinking in the muddy bottom. I needed mud over me. Mud over my legs, arms, chest, face and neck. It felt right. It felt powerful and I was connected to all nature around me.
Thank you to this powerful Lakota Sweat Lodge prayer ceremony, and thank you to the Shaman channeling this great energy.
To me, this image represents the Shaman, channeling of energy and prayers, Earth, Sky and the Forest.
He briefly explained the ceremony began prayers that resonated in my heart and body and to all parts of the sweat lodge. There was energy and power in his voice. I was grateful to be in presence of such power. As he prayed and as the heat of the sweat lodge increased he splashed water on the rocks generating swirling steam that wrapped every aspect of my body. Stifling heat, prayers, emotions, thoughts and sweat dripped from my body.
The Shaman invited us all to take turns starting from his left, to say prayers in our own ways or even in silence, requesting only that we would finish by saying, "Aho". All in intense heat, dripping in sweating, water splashing on the rocks creating and envelope of steam.
My turn
I prayed for myself, my children, my new paths and relationships that are emerging, of shedding my old skin, of thanking Earth, the rocks and the plants.
Aho.
Everyone else took their turns with heartfelt prayers in their own ways.
We eventually all exited and had the opportunity to thank and hug everyone. I felt deep feelings of connection, of gratitude and tearful emotions bursting out. I played my flute by Grandfather Fire. And then felt drawn to the streams, walking on stones and with my feet sinking in the muddy bottom. I needed mud over me. Mud over my legs, arms, chest, face and neck. It felt right. It felt powerful and I was connected to all nature around me.
Thank you to this powerful Lakota Sweat Lodge prayer ceremony, and thank you to the Shaman channeling this great energy.
To me, this image represents the Shaman, channeling of energy and prayers, Earth, Sky and the Forest.
Thank you!
Thank you for being part of my journey with this piece!
- Zig Tahir
- Zig Tahir