After my extended voyage to the North American continent, I came across the customs of a relatively small community called the Skwah Avs. Despite their seeming conventionality, the indigenous peoples were unusual for a number of reasons.

Primarily, the practice of age segregation was highly important. Even people merely a year apart in age, refused to interact. Within the age groups, were even smaller subdivisions created with seemingly no rhyme or reason. The people kept to their groups for brief periods of time, only to abruptly break apart and reassemble in different locations with different people. The supposed signal to reconvene was the sound of an ancient ceremonial instrument, loud enough to permeate the entire community. Each person automatically knew where to go at the sound, as they are a very fastidious people. At the ring of the ceremonial instrument, people marched briskly to their next subdivision, as they were clearly timely people.

In spite of morals, the Skwah Avs were ruled by the whims of the ceremonial instrument. They dared not disperse from the traditional assemblies, and dutifully completed tasks. The tasks appeared to be utterly meaningless. The tasks varied from location to location, group to group, and even day to day. I found no logical rhyme or reason for the tasks besides them being a possible ruse to subdue the populace.

Occasionally, the entire populace of the Skawh Avs would convene in a large room. The purpose of such an event was simply the fault of tradition. The ceremony would be initiated by an elder declaring the intentions and heritage of the traditions. Then he would conduct the populace in a loud chorus of chanting; “S-V-A HAWKS”. The chant was believed to bring luck and fortune to the community. Similar chants would commence during the sacred tournaments against other similar communities. These tournaments consisted of proving a persons worth through physical ability to throw, catch, run, and jump. The winning community would worship the victors for bringing good fortune to the populace.

The rules of the community were seemingly ambiguous, but strictly enforced. When entering such a community, one must be highly cautious in order to avoid committing an act of offensive nature. The indigenous people were adept at following the subtle traditions, but I found them veritably impossible to navigate. Most important was the tradition of speaking. Only at certain times was one permitted to speak. A violation of speaking at the wrong time not only causes great offense, but could lead to punishment.

Truly, the nature of these people is one of extreme conformity and regulation. To fall outside the status quo, was truly a fate worse than death for the Skwah Avs. Their lack of purposeful work leads them to extreme reliance on ancestral traditions and unity by compliance. I will say, though it was an intriguing charge, I am overjoyed to be leaving the Skwah Avs behind me.