The Masai Talking Stick

I read that the Masai talking stick is used by that African tribe to determine who can speak in a tribal gathering. If you have the stick, you may speak. If not, not.

I believe other indigenous peoples use (or used) talking sticks. Those in the northwest of North America, for example.

This sounds like an incredible family tool. Imagine the chaos of family celebrations, everyone shouting at once, replaced by the calm, authoritative approach of the talking stick. The next time I am in Australia for Christmas, I will see if any Aboriginal tribes have them (apparently they do but call them message-sticks) and, if so, purchase one for Christmas lunch. How will my three rumbustious Australian grandsons respond? You get one guess.

In these video conferencing times, it seems like there should be a digital talking stick system. I starting watching the first of the latest series of Have I Got News For You at the beginning of lockdown, but turned it off after 10 minutes because the video conferencing was chaotic. I guess the comedy culture of constant interruption isn't well suited. For serious discussions, I guess the TV producer/director is the talking stick: "You have the stick, Boris". In the House Of Commons the Speaker is the talking stick.

I read on the Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. website that "A great many schools have adopted the Talking Stick principles in their classrooms as a way to teach children patience, self-discipline and to respect the speaker and his/her words. The added bonus is the children additionally are learning about First Nation culture in a tangible way." That's cool. Also on that site are references to alternatives to talking sticks such as an eagle feather, wampum belt, peace pipe or sacred shell.

Writing a blog is a great learning tool; now I know these things. This might be useful once pub quizzes restart.