Arrow Of Light

PACIFIC LORE AND THE CHIPPEA/NAHAK LODGE

By: Greg Rosalia, Pack 608/Troop 699 Upland, CA , April 1996

At rear of room, Allowat Sakima instructs parents to paint Yellow/Orange stripes on boy's faces. Allowat-Sakima steps to center stage bathed in spotlight and holding spear. Turns to audience as drum booms three times.

I, Allowat Sakima, Chief of the fire, call this gathering of our clan to order. Let all

present be silent and heed [hold spear high]

[Kneel] Great Spirit, you who have given us the four hills of life, I ask you to hear me. We your people honor you for the gift of life you have given us. Make your face shine upon us as we gather this night to mark the crossing of our young braves from youth to adulthood, and present them with the symbol of their passage, the arrow of light. [stand]

To those present in our lodge not of this tribe: Greetings. We of the clan of Nahak, people of the Great Bear, celebrate the 4 Hills of Life given to us by the Great Spirit. Each hill has a special meaning and color.

The first hill is infancy. Its color is pale, pale as were your newborn faces, which had yet to see the light of the day outside the Lodge.

The second hill is youth and its color is the yellow-orange of the earth, to remind you of the ties which bind you to the great Earth-Mother.

The third hill is adulthood, and its color will be the dusty rose of life, to remind you of the tribulations of many seasons.

The fourth hill is old age, and the ever-deepening shade of rose burned upon your faces, to remind you of the wisdom that comes from the shadow of deepening

twilight.

Black symbolizes that which lies beyond the fourth hill.

See, at the entrance of our kiva stands those of our clan who would cross to the threshold of the third hill this night. I call upon the givers of life to these braves to

approach and present them to me. But hear me! In asking your sons to be given the color of the third hill, you must also be prepared to relax the reigns by which you have bound them in their youth. If you agree to this, then approach the council fire.

[Scouts and parents approach stage/do not climb steps].

My young braves, turn and give honor to the ones who have imparted life upon you. Parents, now give the blessing to your sons and be seated.

Are you prepared to begin your journey? Then receive from me the color of the Third Hill. [ALLOWAT SAKIMA paints faces and climbs steps]

My brothers, come sit around the circle of the council fire and hear this tale. It is part of the wisdom of our people, a story of the beginning times-

[ALLOWAT SAKIMA tells story of the rainbow raven]

[Boys stand] My brothers, you are like the rainbow raven of our legend. For you, too, have many colors [ALLOWAT SAKIMA points with spear to Webelos colors, rank and arrow points]