The Left Handshake

Scouts all over the world greet each other in a very special way: they shake with the left hand to demonstrate mutual trust Scouts have in each other. Its use is a well established and unifying form of friendly greeting between all members of the Movement throughout the world.

When Baden-Powell was soldiering in Africa, he came across many tribal chiefs and warriors carrying spears and shields. On one occassion, two African tribes had a feud and their raids and battles destroyed much of both communities. It was a long drawn feud which came to an end with a final showdown. The warriors of both tribes were equally matched in fighting skills and bravery and it was expected many would be killed that day.

When one of the chiefs spotted the other, he signaled his warriors to stay behind. He then approached his rival alone. As he walked closer, he dropped the shield that protected his heart from enemy spear and held out his now free left hand to his rival as a sign of friendship and trust. The gesture brought together the tribes for talks and eventually to an end of the battle between them. Tribal chiefs in Africa began to accept that the bravest of the brave shook with the left hand.

B.P. took the idea of this left handshake and made it into a Scouting tradition for all Scouts to follow worldwide.