My Indigenous Life

Healing ceremonies hold a profound place within the cultural practices of the Kwakwaka’wakw tribes, including the Kwakiutl people. These ceremonies embody the deep connection between spirituality, community, and the natural world, serving as pathways to restore balance and well-being. From the use of sacred songs and dances to the guidance of hereditary knowledge keepers, these traditions reflect the resilience and wisdom of Indigenous culture.

It’s important to note that these shared insights are not representative of all Kwakwaka’wakw or Kwakiutl experiences. The customs and ceremonies may vary between families, communities, and individuals, and not everyone may practice or interpret them in the same way. This perspective is offered as a glimpse into one way these traditions are carried forward, with respect for the diversity and individuality within Indigenous cultures.

Digita

• Purpose: A healing ceremony for individuals who have been victims of circumstances beyond their control, such as:
  • Accidents
  • Illness
  • Violence
  • Violations
• Intention: The Digita helps remove trauma and addresses the cause of the incident, ensuring the individual’s spirit and emotions are healed and reset. The event is spiritually “wiped away,” and it is not to be spoken of again.
• Context:
  • Traditionally performed after mishaps during ceremonies (e.g., a dancer’s mask falls off).
  • It can also be done for individuals who experience trauma, medical issues, or other life challenges.
  • It’s not typically used for serious crimes unless the individual has served their time and made amends.
• Cultural Consideration: Some believe the Digita should only be performed once for an individual, as repeated ceremonies may be seen as taking advantage of the tradition’s purpose.

Yakwa

• Purpose: A ceremony for those who have made a choice to harm others or cause damage, including:
  • Physical violence (e.g., fighting or assault)
  • Theft
  • Property destruction
• Intention: Yakwa is designed to address the shame caused by the individual’s actions and to repair harm done to others. It involves a significant effort to make amends, including:
  • Hosting a large feast
  • Giving away substantial amounts of money or resources to those affected
• Cultural Note: There is a saying among Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw people that loosely translates to:
  “Don’t do stupid things because it’s going to cost us lots of money to fix!”
• Comparison to Digita: While Digita is a healing ceremony for victims, Yakwa is focused on accountability and restitution for those who have wronged others. Some people may try to use Digita when Yakwa is more appropriate, but Yakwa demands greater responsibility and reparations.

Cleansing

• Purpose: A personal, private ceremony for spiritual alignment and healing.
• Protocol: Typically involves bathing in fresh or saltwater, dunking four times (once in each direction), to let go of minor spiritual imbalances or day-to-day stress.
• Frequency: It can be done regularly, such as weekly, to maintain spiritual wellness.
• Context: Often performed before a Digita or other ceremonies to center oneself.
• Cultural Consideration: It is important that the person performing the cleansing is spiritually well themselves, as unresolved spiritual issues may unintentionally be passed on to others.

Brushing

• Purpose: A deeper spiritual cleansing than the general cleansing ceremony.
• Protocol:
  • Brushing can be done on individuals or spaces to remove negative energy or spirits.
  • Individuals are often sprinkled with eagle down afterward for protection.
  • Spaces, such as new homes or buildings, are brushed to clear residual energy from previous occupants.
  • A specific brushing ceremony, Kiłaliłan, involves smudging with spruce branches, brushing with cedar, washing with creek water, and applying ochre to the face.
• Context: Can be done privately or in gatherings, depending on the situation.
• Cultural Consideration: Similar to cleansing, it is essential that the person performing the brushing is spiritually clear and well. A “wounded healer” may unintentionally pass on their own unresolved issues to others.

Kumxwalixla (Spreading of Eagle Down)

• Purpose: A blessing ceremony to ensure spiritual harmony.
• Context: Performed for new structures, such as Big Houses, or before dances at a feast or potlatch.

Overall Intention

All these ceremonies – Digita, Yakwa, Cleansing, Brushing, and Kumxwalixla – are designed to ensure the spirit, emotions, and overall well-being of individuals or spaces are clear, reset, and aligned. They represent different levels of spiritual strength and healing, with each tailored to specific contexts and needs.

Final Thoughts

• These ceremonies are not to be taken lightly. They are deeply spiritual and powerful, requiring readiness and respect.
• It is vital to carefully consider who performs these ceremonies, ensuring they are spiritually “clean and clear” so as not to unintentionally harm others. This reinforces the sacred nature of these practices and their role in healing and balance.

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments. Please feel free to leave a reply.