Induction Ceremony

THE TEST OF A ZULU BOY

PERSONNEL: Cubmaster, Bobcat candidates and their parents.

EQUIPMENT: White adhesive tape, Bobcat badges, safety pins.

ARRANGEMENT: The Cubmaster brings boys and their parents forward.

CUBMASTER: (Boy's name) has successfully completed the test for Bobcat. Before I present him with of the Bobcat, let me tell you all a story of long ago, about the test young Zulu boys were given.

Before they were allowed to become Scouts and warriors, Zulu boys had to pass a pretty tough examination. This is what they had to do:

When a boy would soon be old enough to be a warrior, he was taken aside and stripped of his clothing and painted white all over. He was given a shield and a small spear with which to protect himself and to kill small animals. He was then sent into the bush.

If anyone saw him while he was white, he would hunt and kill the boy; and that white paint took about a month to wear off. It would not wash off.

So, for a month the boy had to hide in the bush and live as well as he could. He had to follow the tracks of the deer, and creep near enough to spear the animal to get food and clothing for himself. He had to make fire to cook with by rubbing two sticks together, he had no matches. He had to be careful not to let his fire smoke too much, or it would catch the eye of Scouts on the lookout for him. He had to be able to run long distances, to climb trees, and to swim rivers in order to escape from his pursuers. He had to be brave, and to stand up to a lion or any other wild animal that attacked him.

He had to know which plants were good to eat and which were poisonous. He had to make his own cooking pots out of tree bark or clay. He had to build himself a well hidden hut to live in. He had to take care that wherever he went, he left no tracks for his enemies to follow. If he snored when he was asleep, it would give him away to a keen-eared enemy. So he learned to sleep with his mouth shut, and to breathe quietly through his nose.

For a month he had to live this life, sometimes in burning heat, sometimes in cold and rain. When at last the white stain had worn off, he was able to return to his village, where he was received with great joy and allowed to take his place among the young warriors of the tribe. He could go on to become a "ring-kop" that is, a proven warrior, who was allowed to wear a ring on his head. Then he could possibly go on and earn the honorable title of wolf. But you can imagine that a good many boys who went out did not get through their white period at all. Some got killed by wild animals; some got killed by enemies and some died of starvation, cold, or drowning. It was only the best among them who succeeded.

It was a pretty stiff exam, wasn't it.

Cub Scouting has its test also. With the help of your parents, you have completed the first test of a Cub Bobcat.

It is my pleasure and joy to present this badge and to call you a "Bobcat". (The Cubmaster give the badges to parents to pin on their sons.)

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