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(The "He Walks as a Man" Ceremony Through the eyes of the Future Generation)
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
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