It is being proposed to rename Elangomats as “Luminaries.” That change strips away the humility of the role. “Luminary” is a lofty title, more like a high official than a companion.
The word Elangomat was not chosen lightly. There were perhaps ten of us, crowded around a small table in a truly tiny building. We had successfully used the new system, but it needed a name. I brought a list of possible words, each with its Lenape translation. None of us knew Lenape, so I read the English words aloud, one by one. After debate, we agreed the role was best described as Friend.
Then I read the Lenape translation: Elangomat.
We asked ourselves: should we use “Friend” or “Elangomat”? The Scouts — those who had served as Elangomats or taken ceremonial parts — chose Elangomat. They wanted the mystery. They wanted candidates to discover its meaning through experience, not explanation. Because saying, “Hi, I’m going to be your friend this weekend,” doesn’t work. But living beside someone who leads by example? That works. That’s the Ordeal. That’s the Order.
Why “Luminary” Falls Short
Renaming Elangomats as “Luminaries” strips away that mystery. It turns a humble, physical role into a lofty title. It explains too much, revealing that the role “lights the way”. “Hi, I’m going to be your Luminary this weekend,” doesn’t work. It sounds arrogant.
The Elangomat was never meant to be a celebrity. We are companions in service. Friends who lead by example.
The word Elangomat was chosen by Scouts, for Scouts. It came from lived experience, not marketing. It carries mystery, humility, and discovery.