The Left Handshake

The Canadian Scout Handbook, page 29, has the following to say about the left handshake:

Did you ever wonder why we shake hands when we meet someone? Offering someone our open hand is a gesture of friendship because it shows the other person that our hand is free of weapons. But why do Scouts shake hands with their left hand rather than the right?

Evidently the idea came from a legend Baden-Powell heard when he was in West Africa. Two neighboring tribes were bitter enemies and always at war. One of the chiefs decided that the battles were harming both tribes and needed to stop.

When the opposing armies next confronted each other, the chief who wanted peace dropped his spear and shield and advanced. Not only was the chief's right hand empty of weapons to attack someone else, but his left hand did not hold a shield he could use to defend himself against the weapons of others.

The defenseless chief said to his enemy, "I come unarmed and hold out my left hand to you as a sign of friendship and trust. We are neighbors and should not live as enemies. From now on, we wish to live in peace, and we trust you to do the same and live in peace."

When B.-P. founded Scouts, he thought this gesture of friendship and trust would be an excellent one for Scouts to use. The Scout handshake is make like a right handshake of greeting, except Scouts use their left hands. Show your friendship by reaching out your left hand and shaking someone else's hand firmly but warmly.

When Colonel Baden-Powell entered the capital city of the Ashanti people in 1896 he was met by one of the Chiefs who came to him holding out his left hand. B.-P. held out his right in return but the Chief said: "No, in my country the bravest of the brave shake with the left hand." So began the "left handshake" of the world-wide brotherhood of Scouts. (The Left Handshake, London, 1949)

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