Yuwipi is a traditional

Lakota Lakota may refer to: *Lakota people, a confederation of seven related Native American tribes *Lakota language Lakota ( ), also referred to as Lakhota, Teton or Teton Sioux, is a Siouan languages, Siouan language spoken by the Lakota people of ...

healing ceremony. During the ceremony the healer is tied up with a special blanket and ropes, and the healer and their supporters pray and sing for the healing of the person who has asked for the ceremony. The ceremony may be performed for one person at a time, or for a small group of people together, depending on the severity of the case and the strength and ability of the

medicine man A medicine man (from Ojibwe ''mashkikiiwinini'') or medicine woman (from Ojibwe ''mashkikiiwininiikwe'') is a traditional healer and spiritual leader who serves a community of Indigenous people of the Americas. Each culture has its own name i ...

leading the ceremony.

History

In Lakota culture, the ''yuwipi'' (pronounced yoo-WEE-pee) ceremony is held for both physical and spiritual healing. ''Yuwipi'' means "they wrap him up"''American Indian Religious Traditions: An Encyclopedia, Volume 2'' by Suzanne J. Crawford, Suzanne J. Crawford O'Brien, Dennis F. Kelley, ABC-CLIO; illustrated edition (June 29, 2005) or "they tie him up". The ceremony can be performed at any time of year when healing is needed.

Yuwipi Ceremony

Spirits

The spirits called upon vary with individual

medicine men A medicine man (from Ojibwe ''mashkikiiwinini'') or medicine woman (from Ojibwe ''mashkikiiwininiikwe'') is a traditional healer and spiritual leader who serves a community of Indigenous people of the Americas. Each culture has its own name i ...

, as well with the goals of the ceremony. The spirits may be human ancestor spirits or they can be animal spirits. Animal spirits can be birds or they can be four-legged animals.

Yuwipi Men

The yuwipi man is the healer and the one who is tied up and directs the ceremony. During the ceremony he calls spirits that can help the people. While the traditions and protocols are passed down through generations of healers, each Medicine Man has his own way of conducting the ceremony.

Ceremony

It is important for the people in attendance to follow specific rules. The medicine man's '' chanupa'' (

ceremonial pipe A ceremonial pipe is a particular type of smoking pipe (tobacco), smoking pipe, used by a number of cultures of the indigenous peoples of the Americas in their sacred ceremonies. Traditionally they are used to offer prayers in a religious ceremo ...

) is present during the ceremony,''Encyclopedia of Native American Healing'' by William S. Lyon, W. W. Norton & Company (March 17, 1998) which involves prayer, the drum, and traditional songs. Some songs summon the spirits, and others tell the spirits it is time to leave and end the ceremony. The ceremony is often very draining for the yuwipi man because of the focus needed to interact with the spirits and because the spirits use his life energy to heal the participants. Due to this, yuwipi men, who do not draw energy from the elements, often live short, difficult lives.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Yuwipi Religious occupations of the Indigenous peoples of North America Native American religion Sioux culture Lakota words and phrases