The word "Akela"
Byron Hynes (bph@GOV.NT.CA)
Sun, 5 Jun 1994 23:19:53 MDT
> When I was in the UK last winter I met a Scottish woman who was her pack's
> (is that the correct term?) Akela. Now I see the term Akela is used in
> Canada to denote, presumably, the pack leader. This is what Americans call
> the Cubmaster (generic without regard to sex, as I understand it).
>
The term for "Cubmaster" in Canada is technically "Cub Leader" and the
other adults in the pack are "assistant cub leaders". The term "section
scouter" also applies, since a section scouter is the Contact Beaver Leader,
Cub Leader, Troop Scouter, Venturer or Rover Advisor -- that is, the leader
in charge of a "section".
> How widespread is the use of the term Akela? I believe this was originally
> an American Indian term. Can anyone else verify and does it have the same
> connotations and implications abroad?
>
I believe it was used first by Kipling, and "became" an indian term when
BSA wanted a stronger link between the cubbing jungle and the (BSA) Boy
Scout Native traditions. It *may* be related to the word "Aken" meaning
those from the Ghana/Ivory Coast area (first used in the 17th century).
I believe the origin was Africa via Kipling, not American Indian, but I
haven't found it in any of my reference sources (yet).
- bph
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Byron Hynes bph@inukshuk.gov.nt.ca
Yellowknife, NWT, Canada bph@gov.nt.ca
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
