Tindeuchen Lodge – Tap-Out Ceremony
Meteu: Brothers and friends, welcome to our circle. In the absence of Allowat Sakima, the mighty chief, I, Meteu the medicine man, now call to order this solemn tap-out ceremony of Tindeuchen Lodge, Order of the Arrow.
Nutiket: We are gathered here to call forth those Scouts and Scouters who have been deemed worthy of membership in our honored Order.
Brother Kichkinet, you have guided these friends down the long trail to this sacred place. Before we begin our ceremony, make known to those whom you have brought here the history and purpose of our Order, that they make fully appreciate the significance of this ceremony.
Kichkinet: My friends, the Order of the Arrow was founded during the summer of 1915 at Treasure Island, the Philadelphia Council camp, by Dr. E. Urner Goodman. We seek to uphold the customs and traditions of the native people of America, and we bear the Lenni-Lenape name of Wimachtendienk, Wingolauchsik, Witahemui, the Brotherhood of Cheerful Service. Our purpose is fourfold:
To recognize those campers – Scouts and Scouters – who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives;
To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit;
To promote Scout camping both year-round and in the summer camp;
To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others
Meteu: My friends…
(In unison): We are the Order of the Arrow
Meteu: We are now prepared to begin. Brother Nutiket, guard of the circle, summon Allowat Sakima, our might chief.
[Nutiket signals Allowat by drum beat. Allowat answers with drum beat. Allowat greets Nutiket in the South with the sing and Admonition, but proceeds sun-wise around the circle to the North before entering.]
Brother Kichkinet, has our purpose been made known to our friends?
Kichkinet: It has, Brother Allowat Sakima
Allowat: Brother Meteu, now that our circle is complete, let us ask the Great Spirit to join us in council and guide our actions tonight.
Meteu: Becase we are Tindeuchen, the Fire-Makers, let us make an offering of fire as we pray to each of the Four Directions and to the Great Spirit.
Kichkinet: Golden Eagle, Spirit of the East, where the Morning Star first brings us light of day, illuminate our council ring this night. Give us the vision to see from afar and confirm the worthiness of those who have been chosen as candidates. Yours is the place from which new life begins; guide the actions of our candidates as they begin a new life in the Wimachtendienk. [Kichkinet lights small fire in East as Meteu speaks]
Nutiket: Brother Mouse, Spirit of the South, yours is the place of trust and innocence, growth and change. Strengthen the resolve of our candidates as they prepare to embark on the Ordeal. Just as the mouse sees only that which is close at hand, help our candidates to focus on the immediate purpose of the Order that they might grow in the spirit of Wingolauchsik. [Nutiket lights small fire in South as Meteu speaks.
Meteu: Brother Grizzly, Spirit of the West, from you come introspection and realization. Yours is the place of rest and thoughtfulness, from which the day leaves and the darkness enters. Turn the thoughts of our candidates inward, that they might ponder our rest in a life of Witahemui. [Nutiket lights small fire in West as Meteu speaks.]
Allowat: White Buffalo, Spirit of the North, your gifts are renewal and purification, objectivity and wisdom. Lend us the wisdom of the elders so that we may call our only those who are most worthy to wear the arrow of our Brotherhood. [Allowat lights small fire in North as Meteu speaks]
Meteu: Finally, Great Spirit, we thank you for drawing us together, friends and brothers, on this sacred land tonight. As our feet caress our Earth Mother and we stand beneath watchful eyes of Sky Father, we ask the Spirit that moves in all things to guide our every thought and action. This is our purpose and intent, make with silence reverent. [Pause.]
All: Nimui!
Allowat: Now let us take our places for this solemn calling-out.
[Allowat remain the in North, approaches central fire, and faces east. Meteu stand facing Allowat with enough room between them to position the candidate. Nutiket maintains his position in the South, holding the drum and list of candidates. Kichkinet stands ready to guide candidates to the chief to be tapped out.]
[As a candidate’s name is called, he or she steps forward. Kichkinet then guides the candidate and positions him or her between Allowat and Meteu, facing Allowat. Allowat places his hands on the candidates shoulders and quietly speaks, "Look into my eyes and do not flinch." Meteu then raises and crosses two arrows, crying the word which means "Is he worthy?" (Shigadeyo) Allowat then taps the candidate three times on the right shoulder, crying "We shall see," each word accompanied by one drum beat (Nutiket), with each tap. Kichkinet then forms a ling with the candidates in the east.]
[The following drum sequence should accompany the actual tap-out: As soon as the name is called, a slow drum beat begins; the beat become louder and faster as the candidate is led toward Allowat; it is fierce and fast until, as Meteu’s arms go up, it stop abruptly (just before Meteu yells his line); finally one drum beat accompies each word Allowat says "We shall see."]
Allowat: [Addressing his candidates] You who have been called out have received a great honor, for you have been recognized by your fellow scouts as those who would think more of others than of yourselves. The recognition is unique because no other organization elects its members by non-members. Any organization which inducts from within is prone to lose touch with society, but our membership is based on the standards set by your fellow scouts.
[Addressing the audience] Friends, these candidates were selected for membership in the Order because you saw their sincerity and acceptance of the high ideals of the Scout Oath and Law. Do likewise with this mighty purpose.
Meteu: This concludes the solemn tap-out ceremony of Tindeuchen Lodge, Order of the Arrow. The guards will escort you back to the camp. Candidates remain in your places.
[The drum beat resumes as people are led away.]