When Boys Become Men: An Interview with Elijah and Isaiah, ages 10 and 9

Interviewer: At around the age of 12, 13 or 14, you will probably participate in a ceremony here at Snowhill Farm called "He Walks as A Man." What do you have to look forward to?

Elijah: The bribes.

Interviewer: What do you mean?

Elijah: The Chieftains and the Warriors compete over you. They try and bribe you.

Interviewer: Why?

Elijah: They want you to become what they are, and join their group, not the others.

Interviewer: What do they use for bribes?

Elijah: Its always different. The one I was at, the bribes were a drum and a bow and arrow. And there were a lot of gifts, mostly camping stuff.

Interviewer: What do the Warriors or Chieftains say to you when they ask you to join them?

Isaiah: "Be all you can be, in the Warriors." That's what I remember. And the Chieftains say, "It doesn't matter who you join, you still get to keep the bow and arrows."

Interviewer: Isaiah, what do you have to do to show that you "Walk as a Man?"

Isaiah: You have to sleep in a pit or a hole overnight in the wild. Then they come for you beating drums and you come back to Ceremonial Hill.

Interviewer: What is at Ceremonial Hill?

Isaiah: A circle of drummers and children running out to meet you with flowers. Also a fire.

Interviewer: Are you all alone when you spend the night?

Isaiah: Almost, someone is apart from you, a little way off.

Interviewer: Elijah. You participated in bringing a young man in from his night out. What did you do to help?

Elijah: I helped him get dressed and cleaned off so he could look good. One thing, I tried to find a hair dryer.

Interviewer: Do you remember what else happened?

Elijah: Yeah. We had a BIG feast.

Isaiah: Yeah. A big feast.

Interviewer: Do you know why the White Buffalo Society has this ceremony for young adults?

Isaiah: No.

Elijah: To turn you into a Man