The Origin of "Chkssss..."

As far as I know, the call sign "chksss..." started among the older young people of the Loakan Baptist Church. It was their way of calling out and identifying a Loakanian, esp. from the church, whenever one comes across to another fellow Loakanian. It has quite become a trade mark of the young people of Loakan. But I think only old Loakanians knew that.

I wonder where or when it started and how did it come about. Practically, so few seem to recognize this, on this new generation. I believe the old young people still use this call sign or signal, especially now, so many of them have gone to different places, locally and abroad.

Anyway, one reason I think they use such, is that one couldn’t be embarrassed in public. If one uses a name to call out someone you know in public, you get so many attentions. Eyes of other people might go after you, when calling out on someone from a far distance. Another embarrassment you might have would be, if you’ve mistaken a person to be a familiar face. Indeed, that would make you terribly red in the face. Safety of not being embarrassed, this is one and only reason, why I think such call sign is made. Other reasons? I have no idea.

The first time I heard these old young people do the call sign, I thought, this was a short call for “chicks”… Hahaha! Well, that was my first thought, but then, I was mistaken of it. It was simply a call sign. But I still wonder if it’s where they actually took from?

As generations pass bye and new young people emerges, somehow this call sign is vanishing. I even observe, some young people laugh at such call sign. Hmmmm…? Well, they are indeed new generations. I think this new generation, seem to not care whether they are embarrassed or not. Or perhaps they simply don’t care. I usually observe them, simply shouting out names, even at a very far distance just to call at someone. Not bothering other people who may be around, especially when we are at the airport or even at Session Road.

Perhaps there has been a change of times and culture or tradition. Ibalois are namely known for shyness, yet through the change of time, this shyness, have been turned upside down. Makes me think: Is this a good sign or not? I mean, which one is a better attitude? The one who doesn’t care what others think of himself? Or one who thinks carefully of what other thinks of himself? Hmmmm….? Both may have pros and cons, though it may be just my opinion. But I do believe humbleness is the best attitude. Though humbleness is different from being shy, neither is same with being over-confident or too bold, but still the best attitude which our Lord Jesus Christ exercised daily in His life.

But back to business, the call sign “chksss…”, still a trademark of the Loakanian young people or not? Well, only the new generation, will have to decide on that. As for me, I still delight on making it part of being a Loakanian, as it has given me much delightful memories of my big brothers and sisters in Christ.