The Scottish Clan Chief
A A Clan MacTavish Official Website
As no man is an immortal soul, thus the succession of one Chief to the next becomes vitally important
for a Scottish Clan. The Scottish Clan Chief plays a vital role in the fabric of every Clan in Scottish history, and within
his (or her) own clan.
The Clan Chief is
the integral part of the Clan that, in fact, makes a clan, a clan. A Clan is considered dormant unless Lord Lyon officially
recognizes a Chief as the leader of his clan. In fact, without a Clan Chief, it is said, no Scottish Clan could exist. For
that reason it is very desirable for a clansman or clanswomen to understand the status and position of their Chief, to fully
appreciate the institution that is, a Scottish Clan.
The Clan Chief is
a central figure in modern Scottish Clan society, as they were in previous generations. It might not be vitally important
to understand the exact details of how your current Clan chief came to be Chief, but understanding the mechanics of the succession
that brought him or her there is part of what makes you a clansmen or clanswoman.
All Scottish Clans
and their members are theoretically descendants from a single male ancestor (or in some cases, a matriarch, by blood,
or adoption into the clan ( an accepted name, or sept). This patriarchal ancestor was the original Clan Chief or
leader. The name of the Clan itself and in many cases the land it inhabited, was derived from the Clan Chief, or was at least
from a name chosen by him.
Upon the death of
the original Clan Chief, a descendant of the Chief would become his “Representer” or Heir, sometimes called a
Tanist. This institution of primogenitor follows to this very day, with every Clan Chief being the living embodiment and representation
of the original Clan Chief. In past times a Clan Chief acted as the judge,
Warlord, public
officer, and father or representer of the tribe or clan. The position of the Clan Chief can also be though of as a primitive
form of king, for he ruled over his own people.
The central theme
of the Clan is that the Chief is the focal point, the “sacred embodiment of the race”. A Clan Chief is also the
only person or Clan member who is allowed to wear an unchanged Clan insignia or crest badge of the original Clan Chief.
In the past, when
a Clan Chief died and his replacement was found or chosen, a ceremony was undertaken which announced him as Clan Chief. The
ceremony consists of three aspects, first was the Selection or Determination of a candidate’s right to the title, whether
it was by nomination, selection or succession. The following two parts are the Presentation and the Inauguration. The Presentation
and Inauguration consisted of a declaration of the genealogy of the new Clan Chief and the presentation of the symbol of power
to him (a white wand). After this, the Clan Chief was officially recognized by his people (and the often the Crown thorough
the Supreme Officer of Honor). Now days that Officer of Hounor is the Lord Lyon King of Arms, who acts as the National Seannachie
of Scotland.
A clansman or woman
is someone who shows allegiance, devotion, a personal loyalty, to their Chief, because he (or she) is the embodiment of all
the preceding Chiefs of the Clan or race. Clansmen and clanswomen show their loyalty to their Chief, and pride in Clan, by
wearing a metallic Clan Crest Badge, that is the Chief's Crest, encircled by a strap and buckle. Clan members may belong to
the clan by right of birth or be adopted into the clan, both holding equal claim as clan member. The positon of the Scottish
clan kindred is a scared place, for the institution of a Scottish Clan is old and unique unto itself in form, value and heritage,
and only those who truly understand it and experience it can fully appreciate its exclusivity.
While the modern
Clan certainly does not depend on its Chief to lead them into battle, protect them from maruaders, or settle disputes, the
modern Chiefs’ role can be seen in terms of what the clan actually does, and in turn, how the clan esteems
their chiefs. This is reflected in the clan’s activities and interests.
Finally, a chief
still serves as a vital focal point, representative and leader of his great extended family. The very essence of clan, is
based in honoring the heritage and customs of ancestors, embodied by the position of the Chief, and his relationship to his
people, as well as a reverence for tribal ties, loyalty, and love of family.
It is often said that no
Chief will harm his, or her, own clan, for in doing so he or she would only harm the Chiefship itself. Chiefs aspire
to have a reciprocal relationship with their clans, and each member of the clan holds fast to the desire that
their Chief wants a relationship with his extended family.
What has kept the
old Scottish clans alive to this day, across oceans and continents, is that Clan members’ appreciate their heritage,
place of origin, as well as culture; they hold a deep reverence for their Chiefs as the embodiment of the clan, from
its roots until the present day.
Derived from diverse
sources.
