From: CHUCK BRAMLET (chuckb@AZTEC.ASU.EDU)
Date: Wed May 10 2000 - 02:16:26 CDT
Sorry if this is a dup - my system locked up while trying to post
earlier, and I have no idea if it went out.
In reading the "Front Line Stuff" in the latest issue of Scouting,
this subject caught my eye. I find it somewhat amazing what a
simple little change can do to any ceremony, to give it a whole
different flavor.
I just attended an Eagle Ceremony on Sunday, for three boys in our
Troop (their choice to have it together). During the ceremony, the
script for the "Voice of the Eagle" was read. But this time, it was
just a little different. In the background - well, almost back-
ground - to the Voice of the Eagle, there was music. For part of
the Voice of the Eagle itself, there was "Indian Flute" music. You
know the type - the Indian probably never played it, but it "sounds
Indian".
There was also some John Denver music in the background - I think
the song was "Calypso". "To fly like an Eagle..." the same was
done for the Eagle Charge and Eagle Pledge.
That little addition put a whole new perspective on the "old, worn
out", Voice of the Eagle.
Of course, the most memorable Eagle Ceremony that our Troop had was
a couple of years ago, and few of those attending realized exactly
what they were seeing. One of the Eagles was an OA officer, and
performed the Eagle Dance (Hopi version) for Eagle Courts throughout
the district.
Usually, the Eagle Dancer was accompanied by a single drum offstage.
For this one, Allowat Sakima and Kitchekennet, and six dancers were
there. AS and K did a short speech about why they were there, in
the style of an OA ceremony, then the six dancers did a short circle
dance and created an area for the Eagle to dance. The Eagle dancer
came from the back, as usual, danced the Eagle dance, then at the
end stood facing the other boy, removed the sash from his costume
and presented it to the new Eagle.
I found it very hard to talk for a while after that.
YiS,
Chuck Bramlet -- I "used to be" an Antelope! WEM-10-95 Member DNRC
ASM Troop 323, Firebird District, Grand Canyon Council, Phoenix, Az.
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"When we lose the right to be different, we lose the privilege to
be free." -- Charles Evans Hughes
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