The Woodbadge

When the first group of Scouters completed their training B.-P. believed there should be a form of recognition to identify the level of training achieved. He looked through some of the souvenirs from his military career and came across a necklace of wooden beads and a leather thong. The necklace consisted of 1,000 or more beads strung on a rawhide lace. The beads were made of a South African yellow wood with a soft pith so that, when they were shaped, the pith made a natural nick at the end of each bead. Such a necklace was a distinction conferred on royalty and outstanding warriors. This particular necklace was worn by Dinizulu, King of the Zulus, and was given to B.-P. when he defeated the Zulus during hostilities in Natal Zululand.