AKELA origin - Jungle Book
Ian Ford (ianford@DIRCON.CO.UK)
Mon, 6 Jun 1994 07:21:20 +100
When Baden-Powell started the Wolf Cub section in 1916 he was looking for
a theme for the program, and chose Rudyard Kipling's " Jungle Book " .
The sory is about an Indian boy called Mowgli who was abandoned in the
jungle when his parents fled from Shere Khan, a nan-eating tiger. Mowgli
was reared by wolves and hunted with the pack. He was taught various
skills by other jungle creatures including Baloo the bear, Bagheera the
panther and Kaa the python. The old wolf and head of the pack was Akela.
The use of Akela for the Cub Scout Leader ( Cub Master in those days)
came about because it was not felt appropriate for boys to use adults'
given names, but nor was it appropriate to use the " Sir " or " Miss "
associated with schoolteachers. The term Akeal has been a term of
affectionate respect ever since.
Clearly from the above the " indian " part was correct, but Indian as in
India, not as in native American ! Read " The Wolf Cub Handbook " by
Baden-Powell for more informatrion.
Ian N Ford
Asst Group Scout Leader
25th Greenwich (Our Lady of Grace )
" Rama the buffalo "
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
