Nisha Kittan 114: First Flap Issued
Posted in Patch Collecting by John E. Pannell on January 10th, 2010 at 9:36 am 
Nisha Kittan 114 S1?
Previously I had reported of the formation of Nisha Kittan lodge, in Lewis and Clark Council, from the merger of Kishkakon 32 and Taleka 81. Thanks to Rich Dillow, I now have an image of the lodge’s newly issued first flap. The lodge has decided to use 114 as a lodge number. As far as I know there are no other issues from this lodge at this time.
The design of the flap a simple portrayal of the lodge’s black wolf totem, depicted baying at a full moon. It’s nicely done. However some observant collectors, especially those in the Southern Plains may find this patch rather familiar looking. I have to wonder if the designer of this flap was inspired by another patch.
Ema'o Mahpe 14 S4
Ema’o Mahpe 14, from Cimarron Council in Enid, OK, also has used a wolf baying at a full moon on one of its flaps. It’s a fairly standard way to portray a wolf and has also been used by other lodges. For example, Shunkah Mahneetu 407 used this idea on their S12 and several other flaps. Ty-Ohni 95 from New York also used the baying wolf idea on several of their patches.
To right right is pictured the lodge’s S4. To my eye the Nisha Kittan 114 S1 looks like a cleaned up, improved and slightly more detailed version of this basic design. Does anyone know whether the designer of the flap drew his inspiration from this, or any other, patch or if the design similarities are coincidental?
I know no further details about the availability or any restrictions on the sale of Nisha Kittan flaps. If anyone has further details, please add them in the comments.
Popularity: 37% [?]
It looks a little like some of my “old” Lodge’s designs (415). It is a pretty standard way of depicting a wolf; after all they do howl at the moon from time to time.
Good catch! I didn’t even think of the 415 flaps. I should have seen that, too. Yeah, it’s a standard way of showing a wolf but the similarity to the Ema’o Mahpe flap goes a bit beyond that, IMO.
Interesting design.
I noticed that this was formed from Kishkakon 32 lodge. Is that why of the 15 stars on the flap there are 3 “large” stars on the left side and 2 “large” stars on the right?
3 + 2 = 32
What did they do, symbolism that is, to carry on the memory of Taleka 81 on the flap?
I am the Co-Lodge Chief for this lodge… No the stars have no symbolism outside of the 12 for the Scout Law and 3 for the Scout Oath. There is also 7 Tee-pees, this symbolizes the old lodges as both had 7 rays of sun on their patches representing the 7 days of the week. The patch was designed by a college student in the lodge who was also a member of the consolidation team.
Ema ‘o mahpe’s flap actually has a coyote not a wolf.