Orders of chivalry
Royal and hashemite order of the pearl
Sultinate of sulu
The Sultanate of Sulu was a Muslim state that ruled the islands in the Sulu Archipelago, parts of Mindanao, certain portions of Palawan and north-eastern Borneo (present-day the certain parts of Sabah and North Kalimantan). The sultanate was founded on 17 November 1405 by a Johore-born explorer and religious scholar Sharif ul-Hashim. Paduka Mahasari Maulana al Sultan Sharif ul-Hashim became his full regnal name, Sharif-ul Hashim is his abbreviated name. He settled in Buansa, Sulu. After the marriage of Abu Bakr and a local dayang-dayang (princess) Paramisuli, he founded the sultanate. The Sultanate gained its independence from the Bruneian Empire in 1578.
While the Philippines ultimately became a Spanish possession, it is important to point out that the Sultanate of Sulu itself was never conquered by Spain. That is why it is known to the world as the “Unconquered Kingdom,” whose Tausug warriors stood by valiantly with their Sultan Sulu against the Spanish invasion for hundreds of years.
The Royal Sultanate of Sulu exists today as a sub-national monarchy within an autonomous region in the southern Philippines. Its territories include many islands in the Sulu Archipelago and Northern Borneo.
The head of the Royal House of Sulu since 16 February 1986 is His Royal Majesty Ampun Sultan Hadji Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram, The 35th Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo. He is the eldest son and Raja Muda (Crown Prince) of the late Sultan Mohammad Mahakuttah Abdulla Kiram who reigned from 1974 to 1986 and grandson of Sultan Mohammed Esmail Enang Kiram who reigned from 1950 to 1974.
Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram is recognized by royal families and international organizations as the constituent monarch of Sulu. His Majesty currently resides in Jolo, Sulu, near the historical seat of the Sultanate.
Charitable Activities
The historical territories and ancestral domain of the Sultanate of Sulu is vast, covering the island of Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and parts of North Borneo. Many of His Majesty’s people spread throughout these islands live in destitution.
Despite the Sultanate of Sulu’s limited resources, it is committed to sponsoring humanitarian projects to help alleviate the people of Sulu from poverty, facilitate education, and provide relief in the wake of disasters such as the major fire that ravaged the town of Jolo in 2018; affecting more than 30,000 people and displacing over 5000 families.
Orders
The Royal and Hashemite Order of the Pearl is the dynastic order of the Royal House of Sulu. It is the premier body and grandest honor of the Royal Sultanate of Sulu. The order is an honorable and nobiliary entity that has been instituted as a dynastic Order of Datuship equivalent to the traditional dynastic orders of chivalry.
Membership within the Order is conferred upon those who have performed worthy and meritorious service of an exceptional level for the Royal House of Sulu; upon those of any nationality who, in any field of endeavor, have become distinguished and respected figures of international renown by virtue of their celebrated activities; and upon those who have performed loyal and faithful service to the Royal House and its members.
The Royal and Hashemite Order of the Pearl is divided into several grades. The highest grade, Royal Companion, is reserved exclusively for members of the current and former ruling houses. Beside this, there are five more grades in the Order: Grand Cordon, Distinguished Companion, Companion, Officer and Member. This ranking to some extent resembles the ranking of traditional nobility and privileged classes of society in the Sultanate of Sulu, but also the European Royal Orders of Chivalry. Membership in the Order can only be acquired in accordance with the wish and the approval of its Grand Sayyid (Grand Master). With this dynastic Order its Grand Sayyid rewards persons of all nationalities and religions, which were particularly meritorious concerning service, deeds and faithfulness to the Royal House and the Sultanate of Sulu, as well as those, who gained an outstanding international reputation in their field of activity.
While no specific nobility titles are awarded to members of the Order, those belonging in the senior grades of Distinguished Companion and Grand Cordon are permitted to use honorifics within the Order. These are “The Honorable” and “His/Her Excellency” respectively.
The Pearl
Almost from the beginning of human civilization, the pearl has represented something very precious, but at the same time something sophisticated and rare. Symbolism of the pearl is very significant. It is mentioned in many of ancient writings. Sacred books of great world religions, including Christianity, Islam and Hinduism, mention pearl, usually as a symbol of great value.
Many thousands of years ago, long before written history, human beings probably discovered the first pearl while searching the seashore for food. Throughout history, the pearl has been one of the most highly prized and sought-after gems. Countless references to the pearl can be found in the religions and mythology of cultures from the earliest times.
Ancient Romans considered pearls the ultimate symbol of wealth and social standing. The Greeks held the pearl in high esteem for both its unrivaled beauty and its association with love and marriage. During the Dark Ages, while fair maidens of nobility cherished delicate pearl necklaces, gallant knights often wore pearls into battle. They believed the magic of these lustrous gems would protect them from harm. The Renaissance saw the royal courts of Europe awash in pearls. Because pearls were so highly regarded, a number of European countries actually passed laws forbidding anyone but the nobility to wear them.
For centuries, only the Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo had the right to possess the largest and most valuable pearls found in the archipelago. Although penalties for violators of this law were very harsh, some exceptional pieces found their way to Europe and other destinations by secret channels.
Symbolism of the order
The insignia of The Royal and Hashemite Order of the Pearl contains a certain symbolic significance. On each are elements of the coat of arms of the Sultanate of Sulu. They are the pearl, the star and crescent, the Zulfiqar, and crown.
The Significance of the Pearl was already explained. The star and crescent represents the close association between Islamic tradition and the Sultanate of Sulu. The most significant and distinctive part of insignia of The Royal and Hashemite Order of the Pearl is represented by a Zulfiqar. It is the legendary bifurcated sword of Ali, given to him by his father-in-law, Prophet Muhammad. Zulfiqar is said to be a symbol of the sharp distinction between right and wrong. Finally, the crown on the insignia of The Royal and Hashemite Order of the Pearl represents ruler’s dignity of the Sultan of Sulu. Mythical beasts, the semi-tiger and semi-fish, are represented on the breast star of the order and are supporters depicted on the shield on the Greater Coat of Arms of the Sultanate.
This section was produced with the assistance and permission of the Royal House of The Sultanate of Sulu. His majesty, as the traditional leader of the region, is dedicated to providing humanitarian support to the under-served within the Sultinate, as well to preserving the culture and traditions of a region dating to the beginning of the Hashemite dynasty in 1457. For more information on the Sultinate of Sulu, the Royal and Hashemite Order of the Pearl, or to inquire about ways to donate support for humanitarian activities, please contact Info@orderofthepearl.org
