Yuwipi ceremony comes from the Lakota/Sioux tradition. It is a powerful healing ceremony in which spirits manifest in physical form with the help of energy from the Yuwipi man to heal people. The ceremony takes place in a darkened room. There are two types of ceremonies: a general healing ceremony, in which all participants receive healing to a certain level, and an individual healing ceremony, in which the energy is focused on a single person to cure illness.

​

Yuwipi is a Lakota word meaning "they tie him."

​

Before a Yuwipi ceremony, various preparations are made by the ceremony helpers or under their guidance. Food for the ceremony is cooked, the altar for the ceremony is set up, and a sweat lodge ceremony is performed as a preparation for the Yuwipi ceremony. The sweat lodge is a purification ceremony that is needed before people meet the spirits in the upcoming Yuwipi ceremony. Just before participants enter the ceremony room, each person is "smudged" with smoke from cedar as a final purification.

​

When all participants have taken their seats, the Yuwipi man begins to pray to all things of creation. At the same time, his hands are tied behind his back. He is then wrapped in a blanket that covers him from head to toe. A string with several knots is tied around the blanket. The Yuwipi man is then placed on the altar by the helpers, as he cannot move anymore. The lights are turned off.

​

Now the ceremony singers begin to sing and drum. Shortly after the song starts, the rattles on the altar start making noise. They are picked up by the spirits and start glowing in the dark and flying around the room. Participants often hear footsteps, feel a breeze, or hear the sound of flapping wings. These are the spirits making themselves noticeable as they move through the room in physical form.

​

After the first song, the prayer round begins. The women start, and each person in the room prays in turn. Some pray silently to themselves. When a person finishes their prayer, they end by saying "Mitakuye Oyasin" or "All my relations," and the next person in line knows when to begin praying.

​

After all the prayers are said, the healing round begins with drumming and singing. In this round, the spirits touch the participants, transferring energy to them. It is this energy that cures illness and heals people.

​

After the healing round, the Yuwipi man is freed from the blanket by the spirits, and gratitude songs are sung. The lights are turned on, and the sacred pipe is smoked. Then the helpers serve the food, which became medicine when blessed by the spirits during the ceremony. When the food is eaten, a talking circle is held where everyone can share their feelings, experiences, and ask questions.