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[[File:Kloran of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan of Kanada, based in Toronto.jpg|thumb|1920s ''Kloran'', setting out KKK terms and traditions. Like many KKK terms, this is a [[portmanteau (word)|portmanteau]] term, formed from ''Klan'' and ''[[
[[Ku Klux Klan]] (KKK) nomenclature has evolved over the order's nearly 160 years of existence. The titles and designations were first laid out in the original Klan's prescripts of 1867 and 1868, then revamped with [[William Joseph Simmons|William J. Simmons's]] ''[[Kloran]]'' of 1916. Subsequent Klans have made various modifications.
== Reconstruction period ==
The sources of the rituals, titles and even the name of KKK may be found in antebellum [[College fraternity|college fraternities]] and [[Collegiate secret societies in North America|secret societies]] such as the [[Kuklos Adelphon]].<ref>Michael and Judy Ann Newton, eds. ''The Ku Klux Klan; an encyclopedia Garland Reference Library of the Social Science'' Vol. 499. London and New York: Garland (1991), p. 338</ref> Earlier source material however states, "The ceremony of initiation was borrowed from some of the features of the introduction of candidates of the long defunct Sons of Malta and other like societies, and was calculated to, and did provoke, much amusement for most of those
▲The sources of the rituals, titles and even the name of KKK may be found in antebellum [[College fraternity|college fraternities]] and [[Collegiate secret societies in North America|secret societies]] such as the [[Kuklos Adelphon]].<ref>Michael and Judy Ann Newton, eds. ''The Ku Klux Klan; an encyclopedia Garland Reference Library of the Social Science'' Vol. 499. London and New York: Garland (1991), p. 338</ref> Earlier source material however states, "The ceremony of initiation was borrowed from some of the features of the introduction of candidates of the long defunct Sons of Malta and other like societies, and was calculated to, and did provoke, much amusement for most of those , if not all, who were present," according to the [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015020238435&view=1up&seq=7&q1=klux%20MALTA 1907 Cyclopedia of Fraternities].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stevens |first=Albert |date=1907 |title=The Cyclopaedia of Fraternities |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015020238435&view=1up&seq=7&q1=klux%20MALTA |website=Hathitrust}}</ref> J.C. Lester, one of the original members of the group, stated that the Klan rituals were "modeled on and embraced the leading features of the rituals of an order which has long been popular in many colleges and universities under various names" such as the [[Sons of Confucius]] or [[Guiasticutus]] but always styled '''Ancient and Honorable''' and '''Mirth-Provoking'''. [[Walter L. Fleming]] stated in a footnote to Lester's text that the contemporary (early twentieth century) Southern college fraternity that most nearly mirrored the early Klan was "known as Alpha Sigma Sigma"] and the institution of [[snipe hunt]]ing.<ref>[[John Lester|Lester, John C.]] ''Ku Klux Klan: Its Origin, Growth and Disbandment''. [[Walter L. Fleming]] ed. New York: Neale, 1905. Texts of the first and second prescript as Appendices I and II, p. 60</ref> The original prescript of the Ku Klux Klan was adopted by a convention in [[Nashville, Tennessee]] in April 1867. A slightly revised edition appeared the next year.<ref>Lester, texts of the first and second prescript as Appendices I and II p. 133–176</ref>
=== Higher levels ===
[[File:Children with Dr. Samuel Green, Ku Klux Klan Grand Dragon, July 24, 1948.jpg|thumb|Grand Dragon (later Grand Wizard) [[Samuel Green (Klansman)|Dr. Samuel Green]] in [[Atlanta, Georgia]], July 24 1948, being flanked by two children
In both prescripts there were four levels or "departments" of organization, above the basic level:<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nlhHAQAAIAAJ
*'''{{va|Empire}}''' – constituting the whole area of the Klan's activities. This was led by the '''[[Imperial Wizard]]''' and his staff of ten '''{{va|Genii}}''', as well as a '''{{va|Grand Schubladen}}''' (treasurer) and '''{{va|Grand Scribe}}''', whose duty was to keep lists of the subordinate officers. The Genii, {{va|Imperial Exchequer}} and Scribe were appointed by the {{va|Imperial Wizard}}.<ref>Lester, pp. 136–137, 157–158</ref>
*'''{{va|Realms}}''' – while the role of Realms was laid out in the first prescript, they were only identified as [[US states|states]] in the second prescript. Realms were ruled by a '''{{va|Grand Dragon}}''' who was assisted by eight '''{{va|Squires}}''', as well as a {{va|Grand Exchequer}} and a {{va|Grand Scribe}}, whose duties were identical to those of the above officers on the imperial level. All officers were appointed by the Grand Dragon.<ref>Lester, pp. 136, 138, 155–156, 158–159. The states which made up the "empire" were [[Maryland]], [[Virginia]], [[North Carolina]], [[South Carolina]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], [[Florida]], [[Alabama]], [[Mississippi]], [[Louisiana]], [[Texas]], [[Arkansas]], [[Missouri]], [[Kentucky]] and [[Tennessee]].</ref>
*'''{{va|Dominions}}''' – identified in the second prescript as "coterminous with such counties as the Grand Dragons of the several Realms shall assign" and "not exceed three in number for each [[List of United States congressional districts|Congressional district]]".<ref>Lester, pp. 156, 158</ref> The Dominion was headed by a '''{{va|Grand Titan}}''' who was assisted by six '''{{va|Furies}}''', a Grand Exchequer and a Grand Scribe, all of whom were appointed by the Grand Titan.<ref>Lester, pp. 136, 138–139, 158, 159–160</ref>
*'''{{va|Provinces}}''' – the second prescript identified a Province as equivalent to a [[Counties of the United States|county]]. It was supervised by a '''{{va|Grand Giant}}''', who was assisted by four '''{{va|Goblins}}''', a Grand Exchequer, and a Grand Scribe, all of whom were appointed by the Grand Giant.<ref>Lester, p. 160</ref>
In the first prescript each officer is given the power to appoint Deputies to organize Realms, Dominions, Provinces and Dens until the latter can elect their own officers.<ref>Lester, pp. 137–140</ref> The Grand Wizard was to be elected by a majority of Grand Dragons, and each lower level was elected by a majority of the next lower level of officers (Dragons were elected by Titans, Titans were elected by Giants etc.), as soon as three units had been formed at each level (three Dominions within a Realm for Grand Dragon, three Provinces within a Dominion for Grand Titan, etc.).<ref>Lester, pp. 143–144</ref> In the second prescript each officer appoints the lower officer with the approval of his superior.<ref>Lester, pp. 136, 141, 158, 159–160</ref>
===
The '''{{va|Dens}}''' were the basic level of organization for the Reconstruction Klan.<ref>Michael and Judy Ann Newton, eds. ''The Ku Klux Klan; an encyclopedia''. ''Garland Reference Library of the Social Science'' Vol. 499. London and New York: Garland (1991) p. 160</ref> In the original prescript, its chief officer was the '''{{va|Grand Cyclops}}''', who appointed two '''{{va|Nighthawks}}''', a '''{{va|Grand Turk}}''', a '''{{va|Grand Sentinel}}''', '''{{va|Grand Magi}}''' and a '''{{va|Grand Ensign}}''' in addition to his Grand Scribe.<ref>Lester, p. 141</ref> The Grand Cyclops, Grand Exchequer, '''Grand Magi''' (second officer) and '''{{va|Grand Monk}}''' (third officer) were elected by the body politic of the dens, identified as '''{{va|Ghouls}}'''.<ref>Lester, pp. 141–143</ref> In the second prescript the Grand Ensign is dispensed with, while the Grand Exchequer was appointed by the Grand Cyclops, who was now appointed by the Grand Giant. Only the Grand Magi and Grand Monk were elected by the Ghouls.<ref>Lester, pp. 160–161, 165–166</ref>
The
=== Initiation rites ===
The organ for initiation into the Klan was called the '''{{va|Investigating Committee}}''', composed of the Grand Cyclops, Grand Magi and Grand Monk. Upon the nomination of a new member by a current member, the committee would investigate the candidate's "antecedents and his past and present standings and connections" and would then pronounce the candidate "competent and worthy" to become a member. The Grand Turk would escort the candidate to an "outpost" where he would question him and administer a preliminary [[oath]]. After this the Grand Turk would conduct the candidate to the Den, where the Grand Cyclops would administer the final oath.<ref>Lester, pp.140–141, 142, 146–147</ref>
The second prescript elaborates that the candidate must have his left hand on the [[Bible]] and his right hand toward heaven and includes a ten-point "interrogation" that the candidate must answer satisfactorily in order to proceed with the final oath. The questions asked included: "are you now or have ever been a member of the [[Radical Republicans|Radical Republican Party]], [[Loyal Leagues]] or [[Grand Army of the Republic]]? Did you fight with the [[Union Army]] during the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]? Do you believe in [[racial equality|Negro equality]]?"<ref>Lester, pp.171–172</ref>
=== Tribunals ===
A system of "judiciary" organs was created in each prescript. In the first the judiciary was divided into a '''{{va|Grand Council of Yahoos}}''', to try officers of the Klan, and a '''{{va|Grand Council of Centaurs}}''' to try regular Ghouls. In Art. IV Sec. 4, the Grand Giant is charged with conducting the Council of Yahoo, but Art. VI Sec. 2 states that the Council will be composed of officers of the equivalent rank as the accused and presided over by an officer of the next higher rank. A trial of the Grand Wizard would be held by a meeting of all the Grand Dragons, the most senior Grand Dragon presiding<ref>Lester, pp. 140, 144</ref> It is unclear if these tribunals were ever functional.<ref>Newton and Newton, p. 139</ref>
The second prescript presented an entirely different judiciary, with officers of the first three levels tried by three judges, appointed by the chief officer of the given jurisdiction, and the officers and attaches of the headquarters (presumably the Genii, Squires, and Furies). Trials of Den officers would be conducted at the provincial headquarters and include five judges, and ordinary ghouls to be tried at their dens with seven judges. As before a trial of the Grand Wizard would be conducted by the most senior Grand Dragon, this time with a quorum of seven dragons. All defendants had the right of appeal to the next higher court, and the proceeding was to be governed as "ordinary [[Court-martial|court martials]]".<ref>Lester, pp. 16–18</ref>
=== Miscellaneous ===
In addition to the structure outlined above, there are documented cases of organs of slightly different nomenclature from Reconstruction. For instance, a group of twenty men who were arrested on April 6, 1868, at their "den" at the corners of [[Beale Street]] and Hernando street in [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]], was called the '''{{va|Supreme Cyclopean Council}}'''. The constitution that the police captured outlined an organization with a Grand Cyclops, Vice-Grand Cyclops, and Secretary and openly advocated assassination of the "murders and robbers" now ruling the South. Members were bound to participate in the activities of the order, even if it meant leaving the "embraces" of their wife.<ref name="auto">Newton and Newton, p. 348</ref><ref>[[George Henry Townsend]]. ''The Handbook of the year''. London: Wyman & Sons, 1868 p.293</ref><ref>[[Allen Trelease]]. ''White terror: the Ku Klux Klan conspiracy and Southern Reconstruction''. Greenwood Press, 1979 p. 37</ref><ref>The complete constitution, which identifies the group as part of the KKK, was printed in ''[http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85038521/1868-04-09/ed-1/seq-1/ Nashville Union and Dispatch]''. Vol XXXIV #105, April 9, 1868</ref> A '''{{va|Grand Klan}}''', composed of delegates from [[Spartanburg County, South Carolina|Spartanburg]], [[York County, South Carolina|York]], [[Union County, South Carolina|Union]], and [[Chester County, South Carolina|Chester]] counties in South Carolina and a few from North Carolina, met in [[Spartanburg, South Carolina]] and declared that no more raids or whippings would be conducted by members of the Klan except by their order and that the penalty for violating this order would be 100 lashes for the first offense and death for the second.<ref>''Report of the Joint Select Committee Appointed to Inquire Into the Condition of Affairs in the Late Insurrectionary States, So Far as Regards the Execution of Laws, and the Safety of the Lives and Property of the Citizens of the United States and Testimony Taken: Report of the Joint committee, Views of the minority and Journal of the Select committee, April 20, 1871 – Feb. 19, 1872''. Washington; GPO 1872 p. 48</ref>
An attempt was apparently made to make Ghoul titles for other officers in [[Maury County, Tennessee]] in 1867 and early 1868, but the result was only confusion. Additionally a "'''{{va|Grand Tycoon}}'''" notified Klansmen in [[Lebanon, Tennessee]] to cease night riding and the order was apparently effective in restoring calm to [[Wilson County, Tennessee]].<ref>Newton and Newton, pp. 236–237</ref> In some early reconstruction Klan units there was also a '''{{va|Lictor}}''', whose role as a guard of the den was later subsumed by the Nighthawks.<ref name="auto"/>
== Second Era ==
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=== Jurisdictions ===
*'''{{va|Invisible Empire}}''' – this designation included both the Klan's geographical domain – up to "the whole world" - but also in a "spiritual sense" all the secrets and workings of the order. All things outside this empire were designated the '''{{va|Alien World}}''' and non-members '''{{va|Aliens}}'''.<ref>Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Inc ''[http://archive.lib.msu.edu/DMC/AmRad/constitutionlawsknights.pdf Constitution and Laws of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Inc]''. Atlanta, Georgia: Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Inc. 1921 [pref. November 1922] pp. 12–14</ref> The Klan was a military organization and its [[commander in chief]] was the '''Imperial Wizard''', whose power was supreme "within the limits of this Constitution" and whose edicts, decisions and rulings were binding on all members of the order.<ref>''Constitution'' p. 9</ref> He had a staff of '''{{va|Fifteen Genii}}'''.<ref>''Constitution'' p. 23</ref> The Empire had an assembly or convocation known as a '''Klonvokation'''.<ref>''Constitution'' p.12</ref>
*'''{{va|Realm}}''' – was carried away from the Reconstruction prescript, but it was no longer restricted to the [[Southern United States|Southern States]]; any state or territory of the United States could become a Realm, and Realms were also given a number based on the date of organization of the Realm. The convention of the Realm was designated the '''{{va|Klorero}}''' (from the [[Māori language|Māori]] ''kōrero'', "convention").<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bNpKAAAAYAAJ&q=klorero+k%C5%8Drero|title=Disfranchisement Proposals and the Ku Klux Klan|first=John David|last=Smith|date=January 11, 1993|publisher=Garland Publishing, Incorporated|isbn=9780815309819|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>''Constitution'' p. 13</ref> The president of the Realm remained the Grand Dragon; the other officers were collectively known as the '''{{va|Nine Squires}}'''.<ref>''Constitution'' p. 45</ref>
*'''{{va|Province}}''' – in the new Klan, a Province was construed as "a county or number of counties" designated by the Grand Dragon. There were a maximum of six provinces per realm, but the Grand Dragon could create more with the permission of the Imperial Wizard. The Provincial convention was the '''{{va|Klonverse}}''' (from "converse"). The chief officer of a Province was a '''{{va|Great Titan}}''', and the other officers were known as the '''{{va|Seven Furies}}'''.<ref>''Constitution'' pp. 13, 47–48</ref>
*'''{{va|Klan}}''' – the basic unit of the Second Era KKK was known simply as a Klan. Its area of jurisdiction was a '''{{va|Klanton}}''' (from "[[Canton (country subdivision)|canton]]") which was defined as "extend[ing] in all directions to a distance midway between the location of the Klan and the nearest Klan thereto" unless otherwise directed by the Grand Dragon or Imperial Wizard. The chief officer of a Klan was an '''{{va|Exalted Cyclops}}''' and the subordinate officers were known as the '''{{va|Twelve Terrors}}'''.<ref>''Constitution'' pp. 13–14, 59</ref>
=== Officials ===
There was a nearly identical set of subordinate officers at each level:<ref>''Constitution'' pp. 22–23, 59</ref>
*'''{{va|Supreme Grand Wizard}}''' – [[president (corporate title)|president]]
*'''{{va|Klaliff}}''' – [[vice president]] (from ''[[List of caliphs|Caliph]]'')
*'''{{va|Klokard}}''' – [[lecturer]] (from ''[[Kloran]]'' and ''kard'', meaning "teacher")
*'''{{va|Kludd}}''' – [[chaplain]] (from ''[[Culdee]]'')<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/e4e6b380c3134a93a11e25158d7fd47f|title=Century-old rule book describes KKK beliefs, practices|date=June 30, 2016|website=AP NEWS}}</ref>
*'''{{va|Kligrapp}}''' – [[secretary]] (from ''[[chirography|chirographer]]'')
*'''{{va|Klabee}}''' – [[treasurer]] (supposedly derived from ''kaba'', "to keep", and ''kees'', an Egyptian coin)
*'''{{va|Kladd}}''' – "conductor", in charge of initiating new members
*'''{{va|Klarogo}}''' – inner guard, [[sergeant-at-arms]] (from ''[[wikt:caveo|caveo]]'' and "interrogate")
*'''{{va|Klexter}}''' – outer guard (from ''[[wikt:ken|ken]]'' and "external")<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1lEXAAAAIAAJ&q=+klarogo|title=Star Reporters and 34 of Their Stories|first=Ward|last=Greene|date=March 9, 1948|publisher=Random House|via=Google Books}}</ref>
*'''{{va|Nighthawks}}''' – couriers
The officers at each level above the local Klan unit were designated by a unique prefix: '''{{va|Imperial}}''' at the Empire level; '''{{va|Grand}}''' at the Realm level; and '''{{va|Great}}''' at the Province level. Thus, for instance, an {{va|Imperial Kludd}} would be the chaplain for the whole organization, a {{va|Grand Kludd}} for the Realm, {{va|Great Kludd}} for a Province and simply Kludd for a local Klan.<ref>''Constitution'' pp. 23, 46, 48, 59</ref>
[[File:Imperial Klazik of the Ku Klux Klan, British Columbia, 1925.jpg|thumb|Imperial Klazik, [[British Columbia]], 1925. The name is derived from ''Klan'' and ''[[Cazique]]''.]]
Not all offices were reproduced at each level. The Kladd, Klarogo, Klexter, and Klokard were not present at the Province level, and the Kladd was not included on the Realm level.<ref>''Constitution'' pp. 48, 59</ref> The '''{{va|Klazik}}''', second vice-president, and '''{{va|Klonsul}}''', attorney, positions only existed at the Imperial level.<ref>''Constitution'' pp. 29, 32</ref> The Klazik's duties included being head of the department of Realms and organizing new Realms and Provinces.<ref>''Constitution'' pp. 45–48</ref> At the Province level there were three Klaliffs that served as an advisory board. A '''{{va|Klokann}}''' of three members, each one named a '''Klokan''', filled this role at the local levels and a Klokann of four members at the Imperial level, in which they served as a "Supreme Board of Auditors and Special Advisers" and was led by a {{va|Chief Imperial Klokan}}.<ref>''Constitution'' pp. 23, 33, 59</ref>
The {{va|Imperial Wizards Genii}} constituted his '''{{va|Imperial Kloncilium}}'''; this was the Imperial Wizards supreme [[advisory board]], as well as the Klans highest administrative organ in between {{va|Klonvokations}}. It met regularly every July, but could also be called when the Imperial Wizard or five Geniis petitioned him to do so. The {{va|Kloncilium}} was also the Supreme Tribunal of Justice of the organization with [[appellate jurisdiction]] and the right to finally determine disputes between Realms, Provinces, Klans and members in unorganized states<ref>''Constitution'' pp. 22–23</ref>
'''{{va|Giant}}''' was adopted as an [[emeritus]] title: {{va|Imperial Giant}} for an ex-Imperial Wizard, Grand Giant for an ex-Grand Dragon, Great Giant for ex-Great Titan, and Klan Giant for an ex-Exalted Cyclops.<ref>''Constitution'' pp. 35</ref>
A '''[[Kleagle]]'''{{anchor|Kleagle}} was a recruiter and was responsible for organizing local Klans.<ref>''Constitution'' pp. 33-35</ref>
== Post-1944 ==
Since the dissolution of Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Inc. in 1944, there have been many Klan groups. Details of the nomenclature have varied, somewhat, among the different groups, but some terms have had more currency than others. Over time, the term '''{{va|klavern}}''' replaced klan for local groups.<ref name="Newton and Newton, p.322">Newton and Newton, p. 322</ref> Imperial Wizard and Grand Dragon have still been generally used for the leader of a Klan organization and for state (realm) leaders. Exceptions included cases of one state Klans, such as the [[Association of Georgia Klans]], whose leader, [[Samuel Green (Klansman)|Samuel Green]], kept the title Grand Dragon until shortly before his death.<ref>Newton and Newton, p. 238</ref> The [[White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan]] created some innovations in their organization including a bicameral '''{{va|Klongress}}''' with an [[upper house]] '''{{va|Klonvokation}}''' and [[Lower house|lower]] '''{{va|Klanburgess}}'''.<ref>Newton and Newton, pp. 321–322</ref>▼
In the late 1970s [[David Duke]]'s [[Knights of the Ku Klux Klan]] dropped the Imperial Wizard title, and the leader was called national director.<ref>Newton and Newton, p. 173</ref> That organization, now known as the Knights Party, no longer uses most of the traditional Klan titles, and the only fraternal titles used are '''{{va|Page}}''', '''{{va|Squire}}''', and '''{{va|Knight}}''' for levels of membership.<ref>[http://kkk.bz/main/?page_id=43 Structure]</ref>{{full citation needed|date=July 2019}}▼
▲Since the dissolution of Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Inc. in 1944, there have been many Klan groups. Details of the nomenclature have varied, somewhat, among the different groups, but some terms have had more currency than others. Over time, the term '''klavern''' replaced klan for local groups.<ref name="Newton and Newton, p.322">Newton and Newton, p. 322</ref> Imperial Wizard and Grand Dragon have still been generally used for the leader of a Klan organization and for state (realm) leaders. Exceptions included cases of one state Klans, such as the [[Association of Georgia Klans]], whose leader, [[Samuel Green (Klansman)|Samuel Green]], kept the title Grand Dragon until shortly before his death.<ref>Newton and Newton, p. 238</ref> The [[White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan]] created some innovations in their organization including a bicameral '''Klongress''' with an [[upper house]] '''Klonvokation''' and [[Lower house|lower]] '''Klanburgess'''.<ref>Newton and Newton, pp. 321–322</ref>
▲In the late 1970s [[David Duke]]'s [[Knights of the Ku Klux Klan]] dropped the Imperial Wizard title, and the leader was called national director.<ref>Newton and Newton, p. 173</ref> That organization, now known as the Knights Party, no longer uses most of the traditional Klan titles, and the only fraternal titles used are '''Page''', '''Squire''', and '''Knight''' for levels of membership.<ref>[http://kkk.bz/main/?page_id=43 Structure]</ref>{{full citation needed|date=July 2019}}
== Vocabulary ==
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*#'''Desperate'''
Years were reckoned according to '''reigns''' and '''cycles'''. The '''Reign of Incarnation and Incantation''' was all time up to the [[American Revolutionary War]]. The '''First Reign of our Incarnation and Incantation''' was the period between the Revolution and the establishment of the original Klan, which was reckoned to May 6, 1866 in this scheme. The '''Reign of our Second Incarnation and Incantation''' was reckoned between 1866 and Grand Wizard [[Nathan Bedford Forrest]]'s dissolution of the Klan, which is reckoned to 1872. The '''Reign of our Third Incarnation and Incantation''' began in 1915.<ref>''Constitution'' pp. 88, 89–90</ref> The Klan year, '''Anno Klanslar''', began in
== Footnotes ==
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