1922 Rozmach woodcraftu/en
Czechoslovak Backwoodsmen's League (Zálesácká liga Československá, ZLČ)
Picture from p. 60 1. ZLČ members' badge, 1922. ~z~ AA
Picture from p. 60 2. The Council of ZLČ in Holešovice, Prague, spring 1923. ~z~ PM
Picture from p. 60 3. League camp in Slovakia, 1922. ~z~ AA
Picture from p. 60 4. The cover of the ZLČ camp chronicle 1922. ~z~ PM
Picture from p. 60 5. The ZLČ stamp, 1922. ~z~ AA
Picture from p. 61 6.–7. The Council of ZLČ on the mountain Plešivec, 1.4.1923. ~z~ PM
Picture from p. 61 8. The tribe Lučané from Louny on the mountain Plešivec, 1.4.1923. ~z~ AA
Picture from p. 61 9. The Vlčí máky ("Poppies") tribe near the town of Chocerady, 1923. ~z~ PM
Picture from p. 61 10. The meeting of LLM's Rada důvěrníků ("Board of Trustees") on the embankment Petrské nábřeží in Prague, 30. 9. 1923. ~z~ PM
Zálesácká liga ("Backwoodsmen's League") was the original name under which Liga lesní moudrosti ("Woodcraft League") was officially founded on February 12, 1922. Due to the historical connection with the era of Psohlavci ("Dogheads"), the organization carries the long name Zálesácká Liga Československá – The Woodcraft League of Czechoslovakia. Československá Obec Junácká „Psohlavců“ a „Horních Chlapců“. On the one hand, the organization proclaimed its concurrence with Seton's movement as well as the older scouting-related name, but the name was convoluted and the members themselves would get confused by it. No wonder it became a popular subject of mockery for Seifert's opponents. As early as at the end of March 1922, an appeal by the Chief for a more suitable name appeared in The ZLČ bulletin: „ Think about how to translate woodcraft into Czech. Backwoodsmanship could be interpreted wrong. Woodcraft means forest energy, forest knowledge, forest wisdom. “
In 1923 Miloš Seifert managed to change the name of the organization to Liga lesní moudrosti which replaced the original translation of the word woodcraft. The name "Zálesácký", chosen by Seifert himself, had fallen from grace in his own eyes, because in contemporary literature the word had acquired a rather pejorative meaning. Seifert was worried that this could turn into another weapon in his critics' hands, but he did not realize that continuous name changes might be contraproductive in themselves. The organization was officially renamed a year later during the spring council on Plešivec between March 31 and April 2, 1923.
The Kindred of the Kibbo Kift
Picture from p. 62 1. Kibbo Kift totem emblem, 1925. ~a~ WF, ~z~ KK
Picture from p. 62 2. The gorgeous hand-made all-leather binding of the illuminated book The Kinlog, 1924. ~a~ WF, ~z~ KK
Picture from p. 62 3. Althing (Council) of The Kindred of the Kibbo Kift on Wyndyridge, 1923. ~z~ KK
Picture from p. 62 4. Mingan with his beloved tent, 1925. ~z~ KK
Picture from p. 63 5. A drawing of The Kindred of the Kibbo Kift costume, 1917. ~a~ WF, ~z~ KK
Picture from p. 63 6. Kinsmen at the Stonehenge, 1929. ~z~ KK
Picture from p. 63 7. The cover of the only official issue of Hargrave in Czech, 1924. ~z~ AA
Picture from p. 63 8. A cover of the magazine Nomad 12/1924. ~z~ KK
Picture from p. 63 9. A cover of the magazine The Mark, 1922. ~z~ KK
Picture from p. 63 10. Kinsmen on a rock, Switzerland 1930. ~z~ KK
Picture from p. 63 11. Wandering Kinsmen, 1929. ~z~ KK
Picture from p. 63 12. A metal lapel badge with The Kindred of the Kibbo Kift emblem ~z~ KK
Picture from p. 63 13. A festive ceremonial gown of The Kindred of the Kibbo Kift's herald, 1923. ~z~ KK
A group of young men founded a woodcraft organization following the example of E. T. Seton's Woodcraft Indians in England on August 18, 1920. The chief of the newly-established The Kindred of the Kibbo Kift (KKK) was John Hargrave – White Fox, the longtime instructor of the scouting Forest Schools in Gilwell.
The Kibbo Kift's agenda was without doubt based on woodcraft, however Hargrave added other goals too. Hargrave was one of the first environmental activists, he fought for the improvement of the citizens' social welfare, advocated pacifism and strove to create World Commonwealth of Nations – as early as in 1921! Kibbo Kift Kindred spread quickly to Scotland, the Netherlands, Russia, Germany and other countries.
At the times of the Great Depression (1931), Hargrave and his friend C. H. Douglas came up with the implementation of the so-called social credits, the establishment of a national credit bank, and the printout of dividends. They wanted to help the socially disadvantaged and unemployed citizens this way. Hargrave managed to spark enthusiasm about this idea in the adult members of his organization. Wearing their costumes, they started a manifestation for the social program of Credits in the streets of England. The decorative gowns (the Kindred of Kibbo Kift costume) were replaced with single-colored green cloaks for this occasion. Because of them, Kibbo Kift would later be called Green Shirts. Kibbo Kift began to organize camps for childen from socially disadvantaged families and to help the unemployed. In 1937, a law about wearing political movements' uniforms came into force, and The Kindred of Kibbo Kift was prosecuted by the police on these grounds (the members of the fascist movement wore black costumes at that time). The breakout of the war put a stop to The Kibbo Kift Kindred's activities for six long years. After the war the organization was renewed, but it was not able to expand like before the war.
Wolne Harcerstwo (WH) – Free Scouting in Poland
Picture from p. 64 1. The WH emblem. ~z~ RL
Picture from p. 64 2. The cover of Wolne Harcerstwo's handbook, 1921. ~a~ AC, ~z~ RL
Picture from p. 64 3. A letter from A. Ciolkosz, Vatra I. roč., 1922–23/4. ~z~ AW
Picture from p. 64 4.–5. Covers of the magazine Płomienie, 1921–23. ~z~ RL
Picture from p. 64 6. Adam Ciolkosz wearing a harcer costume, 1921. ~z~ RL
Picture from p. 64 7. A postcard from the Wolne Harcerstwo Convention, 30.6.1923. ~z~ PM
Wolne Harcerstwo emerged in Poland thanks to the initiative of Adam Ciolkosz who was a prominent executive at a scouting organization in his youth. WH can be considered the first woodcraft movement in Poland. It emerged during a revival of Polish harcership independently of information about similar movements in Europe.
In the years 1921–24, the magazine Płomienie ("Flames") printed a wide range of news about the woodcraft, scout and youth movements around the world including the activity of peace organizations, esperantists, radiotelegraphists and philatelists. Apart from own harcer-, Indian-, Slavic-, mystique- and futurism-themed drawings, the pages of the magazines presented Seton's and Hargrave's drawings. Translations from Seton's books about woodcraft and stories about animals, Hargrave's thoughts about Kibbo Kift and, in particular, polemics about the mission of Wolne Harcerstwo were published.
They got in touch with Czechoslovak woodcrafters already in 1921. In 1923, Seifert even took part in WH's council and spoke about creating the European Woodcraft Commonwealth (with England and Germany). However, WH ceased to exist in 1924, broken apart by Polish authorities. Their successors were the pioneers – the red harcers.
The backwoodsmen society of Czechoslovakia
Picture from p. 65 1. A cover of the magazine Totem 2/1922. ~z~ DK
Picture from p. 65 2. A cover of the magazine Totem 3/1923. ~z~ DK
Picture from p. 65 3. A cover of the magazine Totemová deska 2–3/1927. ~z~ JB
Picture from p. 65 4. The Seminole tribe from Sdružení skautů Setonovců ("Seton Scout Society"), summer 1921. ~z~ PM
Děti přírody ("Children of Nature) – a small Prague-based woodcraft-oriented scouting association that emerged around 1920. Chief J. Josef. In 1923 it merged with Seton's scouts, and Sdružení zálesáků v RČS ("Backwoodsmen Association in Czechoslovakia") came into being.
Sdružení skautů Setonovců (Setonovi skauti) ("Seton's Scout Society – Seton's Scouts") – based on several Prague scout troops that had emerged in 1918–1919 but had left or had not become members of Svaz skautů ("Scouting Association") and Spojené sbory junáků skautů ("United Corps of Scouts"). Together they created Sdružení skautů Setonovců, later renamed Sdružení E. T. Setonových skautů ("E. T. Seton's Scouts Society") that joined Federace čsl. skautů ("Czechoslovak Scouts Federation") in 1923. The Chief J. Mágr. When they merged with Děti přírody in 1923, Sdružení zálesáků v RČS ("Backwoodsmen Association in Czechoslovakia") was established.
Sdružení zálesáků RČS was established on 28 March 1923 by merging the two above-mentioned organizations. Besides the League, it was another organization whose program focused on Seton's woodcraft and was even more progressive than the League in many aspects: approach to the oath, co-education of tribes, rejection of unnecessary badges and ranks, etc. The tribes stood out thanks to their sports activities. Abroad, the backwoodsmen were considered another, equal Czechoslovak woodcraft organization, although it has not been proven that they had direct (including written) contact with E. T. Seton. The association issued the magazine Totem. It used the slogan "Za právo mládí" ("For the Right of Youth") and opposed the military-like management of the organization. In the end it defined its path "from scouting to backwoodsmanship" as follows (quoted from the advertising pamplet): "What is backwoodsmanship? – a perfected, internally deepened system of youth self-education, built on the broadest basis with the help of knowledge gained from natural sciences and modern education".
Even though it was part of Federace čsl. skautů, the association was entirely apolitical. It had its own testimony, and point 9, for example, was as follows: „ Live in modesty, moderation and simplicity. “ L. Relich was the Chief, J. Josef was the Executive.
In the second half of the 1920s the society ceased to exist. A part under L. Relich's leadership joined Skauti DTJ in 1928, a part merged with Spojené sbory junáků skautů in 1927.
The Order of Woodcraft Chivalry (OWC)
Picture from p. 66 1. The OWC emblem. ~z~ OWC
Picture from p. 66 2. Ernest Westlake. ~z~ WI
Picture from p. 66 3. The OWC writing paper header, 1929. ~z~ PM
Picture from p. 66 4. The OWC camping, Brighton 1936. ~z~ OWC
Picture from p. 66 5. Logo Sandy Balls. ~z~ OWC
Picture from p. 66 6.–7. Covers of the magazine, 20. léta. ~z~ OWC
The Order of Woodcraft Chivalry is an English woodcraft organization established by Ernest Westlake in 1916 on the basis of chivalry-related virtues: individual bravery, protecting the weak, service to the King and the ideals of neopaganism – faith in natural religion and the influence of nature in general. He got inspired by Ernest Thompson Seton's Woodcraft Indians movement. Seton was elected the Honorary Chief of the movement. Westlake purchased the homestead Sandy Balls in the country in New Forest and made it his organization's center. This was where the organization saw the biggest expansion. In 1926 it had 1,200 members. Today it is a small family organization of upholders of the OWC tradition, and the number of members is around 300. In 1999, the 2nd international woodcrafter meeting took part in Sandy Balls. Avowals that the members stand by: „ To respond to the calling of the natural world, to find simple wisdom, common sense and courage in it. To seek out, bravely and cheerfully, the adventures of life, to appreciate everything that encompasses beauty, miracles and stardust, and to try to bring the spirit of chivalry into everyday life. “
The Woodcraft Folk (WF)
Picture from p. 67 1. The WF emblem embroidered on a flag. ~z~ WF
Picture from p. 67 2. The WF with totem poles in Exeter, 1933. ~z~ WF
Picture from p. 67 3. Leslie Paul. ~z~ WF
Picture from p. 67 4. Indian dancing at a council, 1929. ~z~ WF
Picture from p. 67 5. The Grand Council, 1934. ~z~ WF
Picture from p. 67 6. A WF flyer with various patches. ~z~ WF
Picture from p. 67 7–9. Woodcraft Folk magazines and publications. ~z~ WF
The organization was founded by Leslie Paul in 1925 after an argument with John Hargrave, the Chief of The Kindred of the Kibbo Kift. In the beginning, the activities and focus of Woodcraft Folk were similar to those of Kibbo Kift. In the 1920s and 1930s, the organization teamed up with co-operative companies and working-class, pacifist and feminist movements. This became a base for recruiting both adults and children, and for focus on a hands-on approach. Thanks to this, it avoided the decline that came down on Kibbo Kift and the OWC due to their growing eccentricity and isolation from mainstream society. Nowadays, Woodcraft Folk is not based on any specific religion or national identity. The contemporary organization welcomes all young people regardless of their social background, situation, age, sex, sexual orientation, etc. It emphasizes on the meaning of international mutual understanding and friendship. The principles of peace and co-operation are, therefore, the center point of all that the members do.
John Hargrave, Adam Ciolkosz
Picture from p. 68 J. Hargrave, 1928. ~z~ KK
Picture from p. 69 A. Ciolkosz, 1920. ~z~ WI
Picture from p. 69 Polish harcers from the city of Łódź, 1925. ~z~ AH
Picture from p. 70 Wood engraving "Táborníkům", 1934. ~a~ JD, ~z~ AA
- John Gordon Hargrave – White Fox
- (* 6. 6. 1894, Midhurst, hrabství Sussex – † 21. 11. 1982, Branch Hill Lodge, Hampstead)
John Hargrave used to earn his living by illustrating books as early as at fifteen years of age. At seventeen he was employed by the paper London Evening Times as the head cartoonist.
In 1908 Hargrave joined Baden-Powell's scouting movement, and soon his knowledge and experience of life in the woods and nature would attract attention. He intensively studied materials by Ernest Thompson Seton, his philosophy and its connection to modern society. From his meeting with Seton in England in 1912, Hargrave tried to promote his original ideas of scouting. After a personal experience from World War I, when he realized that the ideas of scouting had been exploited for the objectives of war, he expected a specific program from Seton – or at least a clear appeal to overcome narrow-minded nationalism and to bring about "global peace". His expectations were vain. Seton did not back down from demanding loyalty to one's country, including military service. Hargrave saw this as a grave drawback to Seton's otherwise excellent woodcraft program. Soon, young Hargrave formed a group of independent scouts around himself. At that time he began to write contributions, regular columns about woodcraft, under the name "White Fox" for the scouting magazine The Trail which found its readers right away.
It had been apparent that Hargrave, a young functionary, would turn away from his chief sooner or later due to difference in opinions on directing the organization. The first obvious signs of difference in opinions had appeared after Hargrave's book Lonecraft had been published. Deeply stunned by his war experiences, he had written the book The Great War Brings it Home where he puts great emphasis on his anti-military sentiments and hate of war as well as the corrupted world that war brings about. The book presents a broad, all-encompassing worldwide reform concerning the creation of an anti-nationalist society led by the elite of healthy young people with woodcraft experience.
In 1920, together with his wife Ruth Clark, he established the woodcraft organization The Kibbo Kift Kindred, the influence of which spread all over Europe. Hargrave got in touch with Czechoslovak woocrafters as well as with the Poles, Germans and Scandinavians. From mid-1920s, The Kibbo Kift Kindred would transform under the influence of the reformer C. H. Douglas. In 1931, Kibbo Kift replaced by the movement Green Shirts and turned away from woodcraft. Later it put emphasis especially on social politics, focused on inventing, journalism and painting.
- Adam Witold Maria Ciołkosz
- (*5.1.1901, Kraków, Halič, R-U – † 1.10.1978, Londýn, Anglie)
A Polish officer, socialist politician and organizer of Polish woodcrafters (Wolne Harcerstwo) in the years 1921–23. He was in touch with the chiefs of LLM (personal contact with Seifert in 1922–24). Unfortunately, no personal correspondence has been found, just reprints in the magazines Vatra ("Bonfire") and Płomienie ("Flames"). He discovered scouting in 1911 when he joined a section in the town of Tarnów. Later he would himself lead a harcer troop in Zakopane. During World War I and later during the Polish civil war he was a Polish army officer. After the war he graduated from the Jagellonian University in Cracow and founded Wolne Harcerstwo. He published a handbook for Polish woodcrafters, Wolne Harcerstwo.
After the break-up of the organization he would only deal with politics; he was a prominent member of the Polish Socialist Party. During World War II he migrated to London where he participated in Polish political life in exile. He did not return to his homeland anymore and continued his involvement in politics.
