<P> Among the Scythians, the covenantors would allow their blood to drip into a cup; the blood was subsequently mixed with wine and drunk by both participants . Every man was limited to having at most three blood brotherhoods at any time, lest his loyalties be distrusted; as a consequence, blood brotherhood was highly sought after and often preceded by a lengthy period of affiliation and friendship (Lucian, Toxaris). 4th - century BC depictions of two Scythian warriors drinking from a single drinking horn (most notably in a gold appliqué from Kul - Oba) have been associated with the Scythian oath of blood brotherhood . </P> <P> The Hungarian hajduks had a similar ceremony, though the wine was often replaced with milk so that the blood would be more visible . </P> <P> In Asian cultures, the act and ceremony of becoming blood brothers is generally seen as a tribal relationship, that is, to bring about alliance between tribes . It was practiced for this reason most notably among the Mongols and early Chinese . </P> <P> The blood oath was used in much the same fashion as has already been described in much of Sub-Saharan Africa . The British colonial administrator Lord Lugard is famous for having become blood brothers with numerous African chiefs as part of his political policy while in Africa . A powerful blood brother of his was the Kikuyu chieftain Waiyaki Wa Hinga . </P>

Where did the term blood brothers come from