sweat lodge

In many Native American cultures, a sweat lodge is a built structure that is used for rituals that involve intentional perspiring as a way of purifying the self and connecting with the spiritual realm. The shape and building materials of sweat lodges differ among the various cultures, depending on the climate and surrounding natural environment. In the Navajo tradition, for example, the sweat lodge is a small structure made of logs and clay, which is often partially sunk underground. Heat in the sweat lodge is generated by large stones that are heated in a fire outside and then carried inside, where they are usually doused with water and herbs to produce aromatic, steaming vapors. Instead of a door, sweat lodges have a small opening over which thick blankets, animal hides, or even brush are placed in order to prevent the heat and steam inside from escaping.