12 Tribes & The Preservation Seed

Twelve Tribes, an obscure religious cult in Nelson, BC.

Using a cell phone for light, we conjured questions to

ask in the morning. Nelson is a place where “No Dog” symbols are painted on the sidewalks downtown and cars always stop, even though the many crosswalks are void of

traffic lights. A city that has the population of a town

and that houses The Preserved Seed restaurant. Owned

and operated by the Twelve Tribes cult, the Preserved

Seed is an enchanting place with kickass key lime

squares and a Tudor-type tavern feel. In their restaurant

I was to conduct my succinct n’ juicey interview.

Witha post-party head full of dreams, I woke

to the sound of screaming children and ill-tempered

storms. It was 9:30 am and the interview was set for

10:00. I got ready on the flash (Parizeau to boot), and

we made it to the Preserved Seed on the nose, damp

and drowsy. We were welcomed warmly when I asked

for Devaq, the man I was to interview on behalf of the

bearded men and oatmeal women. He met us promptly

with a strong handshake and pleasant manner. We sat

at a charming table and were served lovely carob mint

matés. I told him that I was from a collective zine that

was interested in alternative living, and the interview

commenced.

Kazine:

When did your tribe arrive in Nelson?

Devaq:

In 2000. The restaurant was established in 2001.

Kazine:

How many tribes are there and where are

some located?

Devaq:

Fifty, with twenty-five in North America and four in Canada. The ones in Chilliwack and Courtenay have restaurants with the name The Preserved Seed

Kazine:

Do all groups have restaurants?

Devaq: Most do, and those that don’t are working on getting one.

Kazine:

Where in the world are the other tribes?

Devaq: Brazil, USA, Spain, England, France,Germany, Argentina, Australia and Japan.

Kazine:

Which country is considered the Motherland?

Devaq:

The movement was started by Gene and Marsha Sprigs in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1971.

Gene was part of the Jesus movement of the 60s. He moved to Tennessee and met his wife and they opened a restaurant called The Yellow Delhi on the University of Tennessee campus. Gene had so much love for Jesus and became inspired by him. When Gene and Marsha married, they would have friends over to discuss Jesus. They would call the discussions ‘wrap sessions’ and their friends would come from all over. Then one day when it was time for their friends to leave, their friends said, “I wish I didn’t have to leave,” and, Gene and Marsha said “You know, you don’t have to leave, you can just stay.” They did, and more friends from all over came, and then, through networks, started groups all over.

Kazine:

Can anybody join?

Devaq:

Anybody can join.

Kazine:

What are your guiding morals or rules?

Devaq:

Yahshua, (The Twelve Tribe’s name for Jesus) said “Don’t worry about what you eat and wear. Give up people, give up your possessions.” Most Christians are

mainstream; they live apart from the word of Yahshua.

Jesus wanted us to share all things in common. John (the Apostle), knowing God and loving God, wanted to live by his word and we lead by that example

Kazine:

Do you have gender-specific roles?

Devaq:

Women are the mothers, but they have other

roles. Men are obviously stronger than women so they

build and so on, and women take care of the children.

But women also work at the Preserved Seed and handle

the money. Have you noticed that women are really good with money? They handle the money made from here and the spending of it.

Devaq then explained that the Twelve Tribes’ Council is based on Yahshua’s famous saying that

begins “If you don’t hear from the least…” Devag was stressing that all voices from the community should be heard. Members are elected to council when “Grace is recognized.”

This grace is supposedly allotted to you by God himself; your position in the Twelves Tribes is to

reflect your God-given talent. You talent is identified by assessing your “true intelligence,” which stems from humility, truth and “what love says.” An intelligence that is of intrinsic wisdom.

Devaq placed emphasis on their desire to “follow what was in their hearts.” Courting rituals were

practiced through something called a waiting period. A room was offered to members of the cult that swelled for each other and they were allowed up to three months of private talks (no sex?). Sex apparently only happensafter marriage (but I bet somebody’s getting head).

Devaq invited us to the Twelve Tribes farm on Mount Sentinel. I figured it would be a great opportunity to get in touch with a God so I joyously accepted (please

note my sarcasm). As we were wrapping things up, I asked a couple more questions.

Kazine:

Some say love and hate are the same thing. What is you opinion on that?

Devaq:

They may be, but it’s up to you to choose what to do.

Kazine:

It would appear that there is limited room for real individuality in a community like yours. How does

your community deal people who have no choice in being different like people who have physical disabilities?Devaq: We give them jobs that are suited to their condition, such as bookkeeping – jobs that require thinking.

Kazine:

What about people of same-sex orientation?

Devaq’s eyes became hallow like empty graves.