Can Zapta is Lakota and roughly translates to "five pieces of wood". The name refers to the practice of placing five wooden sticks on the altar during the ceremony. The ceremony is for gathering information, and the sponsor - the one who wants to ask a question - can ask their questions directly to the spirit world during the ceremony.

 

A Can Zapta is conducted in a darkened room, while a Dopa Zapta is done inside a sweat lodge ceremony. Both Can Zapta and Dopa Zapta aim to gather information and receive answers to questions, but they are performed in slightly different ways. The Lakota people originally used the ceremonies to find missing objects.

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Participants can choose whether to ask a question (be the sponsor) or simply sit and experience the ceremony as it is. Often, the ceremony and contact with the spirit world can be a powerful experience in itself, which can mean a lot. The person leading the ceremony receives an answer from the spirit world and relays it to the person who asked the question. The nature of the question or questions can be anything, but often they stem from a deep desire to know. For example, people with health problems can ask the spirit world what they can do to heal or improve their health. Sometimes, when someone is at a crossroads in life or has important decisions to make, they can ask what the next step is.

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It is possible to participate in the ceremony without having a question to ask. The important thing is to participate with an open heart and mind.