The History of the Kane
Why Kappa's Have Kanes
The use of walking sticks and
canes may very well date back to centuries
B.C. to the times when shepherds would tend
to their flocks. This ties into the early
roots of Christianity and leads to the candy
canes of today being striped the way they
are (3 thin stripes and 1 solid stripe) to
remind us of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
and the blood of Christ. The shape was believed
to be chosen because the cane, if pointed
upward, resembles the letter "J"
for Jesus. The history of the cane also ties
in with the African Rights of Passage, and
was a symbol of manhood that had to be carried
by initiates wishing to become adult members
of their respective tribe.
Dealing more directly with the evolution of
the cane and how it relates to the Fraternity,
canes started off as assistive devices, and
later turned into social status symbols for
society. In the 1700's and 1800's, canes were
a fashion embellishment. One "wore"
a cane. These old canes were decorative, objects
to be admired and be proud of. They became
collectors items and represented the true
sign of a Gentleman.
Members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity have
always worn or carried canes since the beginning
of the Fraternity in 1911. Although unintentional
in its inception, this occurrence soon became
an unofficial tradition of Kappa men, as Kappa's
have always strived to be noble and productive
members of the community. The cane, being
the symbol of a Gentlemen who exhibits such
characteristics, was then proudly adorned
by members of the Fraternity.
Earlier in the 20th century, new initiates
of
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc Alpha Delta
Chapter at Fisk University
in Nashville Tennessee can be seen carrying
their canes
This type of display became
commonplace up until the 1950's when Black
Greek Letter Organizations, on an undergraduate
level, began to practice what is known today
as "Step Shows". Undergraduate members
of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity took part in
the trade and soon incorporated the use of
their favorite item, the cane, into the routine.
This was something that spread to many undergraduate
chapters during the 50's and 60's. Stepping
was catching on at an accelerated rate among
the African American fraternities and sororities
during this time period. It was not until
the mid to later 1960's that the undergrads
of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity began to decorate
the step canes with the colors of the organization.
The usual design was to pattern the cane with
a crimson and a cream stripe from tip to tip
which can be made out below in the photo.
New initiates of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity,
Inc,
Alpha Delta Chapter at Fisk University in
1968.
Despite this Black & White photo, notice
the
patterned stripe of the canes.
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