Why African Sweat Hut?

In May 2000, I was asked by Credo Mutwa, why I was doing Native American Sweat Lodges and why I was not using 'the Sifutu', the African Sweat Lodge? I began to search for information on the Sifutu........... Nothing! Not even in the large university libraries in Grahamstown. As Credo Explained the Sifutu is a lost art among the Sangomas of today. It was common practice all over Africa and an effective healing tool, but Western influence has ridiculed such practices and the Sifutu almost disappeared. The only remnants are a technique used today by Sangomas, where the patient is put over a bucket of water and has a blanket thrown over him/her. The Sangoma will then put herbs and hot stones into the bucket creating a one man Sweat. This technique has its place but can also scald the patient. My only way forward was to release my experience with the Native American Sweat Lodge and move forward with an open heart, listening to my spirit. What I came up with is a process of ritual sweating which I now use and call the African Sweat Hut. It has been a long and trying road with much criticism but I have continued and have run around 400 Sweat Huts over the last fifteen years.

What is the process of an African Sweat Hut?

In this Sweat Hut we come together to acknowledge the four elements. That they are alive, they exist within us and within the Earth. We come together to experience oneness. Our oneness with the elements and with the Earth. The Sweat Hut represents the womb of the Earth Mother. When we are inside we are back in the womb where we can experience rebirth and death of those parts of our ego that no longer serve our growth. We Sweat for four Quarters, each of which represents one of the four elements.

Beginning outside the sweat hut, all participants come together in a circle around the fire. We come into a silent space and a smudge stick is handed around with which everyone cleanses and comes into the circle with positive energy for the others in the group.

Air is the focus for the first quarter. Retaining the silence in the lodge, we breathe. Focusing on the living element of air, which we breathe into the depths of our lungs, filling our lungs to capacity with each breath.

Fire is the focus for the second quarter. Niyan will teach you the process of awakening the chakras with the Rainbow light meditation. We chant the sounds E-A-I-U-O-M-Z. Each sound awakening a different energy center in our body. While we chant a specific sound Niyan will also give you a color to focus on. At the end of this round we chant the rainbow light meditation, giving our light out to all sentient beings (all of our relatives)from the Sweat Hut.

Water is the focus for the third quarter. This is the flowing round, the female round. Here we sit and wait for our unique sound with this unique group to rise from within. We start with soft sounds that come into our throat and listening to the others in the group we begin to weave together the sound of this group. This is always unique. We sing medicine songs in this round.

Earth is the focus for the final round. In this round we will sing songs of the Earth.

We then all leave the lodge together in a clockwise direction and hold the silence for ten minutes or so while taking in Nature and the Stars around the fire. If there is water nearby (a pool or lake) people may jump in to cool down. Our ceremony is now complete.

How long does it take?

The Sweat hut is timeless. Sometimes it can be one and a half hours and at other times can go on for three hours. It really depends on the group. The Sweat Hut is not an endurance test. The object from the 'lodge keepers' point of view must be to keep everyone together in the lodge, but to push the group to its limit. Some groups are stronger than others and want it to go longer and hotter. The lodge keepers' job is to feel what the group wants.

What If I want to leave the Lodge?

No one is forced to stay in the lodge. Anyone may leave at any time by simple stating "I want to leave the Lodge". However if you leave you will not be allowed back in. This is necessary, as the lodge becomes unfocused with people going in and out.

How many people go in at once?

This really depends on the size of the particular lodge being used. I have run Sweats for three people and others for fifty. Personally I like to run lodges that accommodate fifteen to twenty people comfortably.

What do we wear in the Sweat Hut?

People may enter the lodge wearing whatever they wish. Anything that you wear into the lodge will become soaked with steam and sweat. We suggest a Sarongue, Towel or swimsuit. There is no light in the lodge so everyone can feel comfortable that their privacy is respected.

 What about Sisters sweating during their Moon time?

There is no reason that I know of that prevents woman in their moon time from entering the Sweat Hut. Some traditions do not allow this, but I do and follow the tradition, which honors woman at this time. She may sit in the place of honor in the Hut. During menstruation the Sweat Hut can alleviate some of the cramp pain by relaxation and removal of excessive water caused by sodium retention. For the same reasons, the Sweat Hut is generally beneficial for healthy pregnant women. However, during cases of toxemia or complicated pregnancy a physician should be consulted before sweating.

Taking drugs, alcohol and entering the sweat?

The Sweat Hut itself is a vehicle to access higher consciousness and no added stimulants are necessary. In fact they will only make it harder for the person involved. Alcohol is dangerous in the Sweat Hut because it promotes dehydration. I will not allow anyone to join the lodge if they have been drinking alcohol for their own safety. Smoking cigarettes before the lodge will have the effect of keeping the person grounded. And smoking Marijuana will only make it more difficult to focus. Once the lodge is over people may do as they wish but not while their energy affects the others in the circle.

What is the difference to a Native American Sweat Lodge or Inipi?

The Sweat lodge is a sacred gift from Spirit. It has existed since the beginning of creation on all continents. The Native American people have certainly used it well, but it is not uniquely Native American. It is a sacred tool for all of humankind and when used with reverence it is a beautiful way to connect with your soul. So there is essentially no difference between Sweat Hut and Sweat Lodge. It is the same. It is only the person who holds the lodge who is different and the way he or she holds it differs from other ways. It is always a sacred space and a direct connection to the source.

Who facilitates the Sweat Huts?

Niyan has been a student of the Sweat Hut for the past fifteen years. He has held around four hundred sweats in various parts of South Africa and has a permanent Sweat Hut at his home on the slopes of the mountain known as 'Inyaka Losoba', within 'The valley of the Earth Mother', also known as Rustlers Valley.