For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for September 05, 2004

Transcript:

Gary: It's a holiday weekend, Elizabeth, will you be going home? Elizabeth: No, Gary - it's too far, and I have too much to do. Besides...I just got here! Boy: Miss Patterson! Guess what! We both get to heat the drum tonight! Elizabeth: Heat the drum? Boy 2: Uh, huh - before a hand game, you have to heat the drum, so it sounds right. Elizabeth: So...instead of a button, can they use a small coin or a stone or something? Boy 2: Sure...but in Mtigwaki we use a button. Elizabeth: Really! -Is there some native ceremonial significance to this button? Boy 2: Yeah...It used to hold up "Mooner's" pants! Nathan an' I are gonna take turns...We have eight players tonight, two teams of four. -They pass a button from one person to another, under a blanket. When the drummer stops, the challengers tell the team with the button to raise their hands. Then they bet on who has the button.