JDM

Tonga update: The Royal Household Order now known as: The Most Devoted Royal Household Order of Tonga, Inst. 2009 in 5 classes (GC, GO, Comdr., Officer, Member, plus 3 Assoc. Medals in gold, silver & copper). Since H.M. King Tupou VI came to power, he has not been seen in a military uniform, this is unique, as all the other kings of Tonga wore military uniforms. There is still no word as to when his coronation will take place. H.M. Queen Elizabeth II has been seen (in a colour photo) wearing the Most Illustrated Order of Queen Salote Tupou III, (presented by the late King George Tupou V). JDM

A photo in "Google Images" shows the late President Samora Michel in miliraty uniform, around his neck is an approx. 50mm ribbon, plain red, is this the Order of Eduardo Mondlane, 2nd class ?, JDM

I have just found out that the Royal Household Order should now be called: The Most Devoted Royal Household Order of Tonga. Also, on 18th March, 2012, H.M. King George Tupou V, died, he was succeeded by his younger brother, H.M. King Tupou VI (he will anounce his reigning name before his coronation). JDM

RIBBONS OF EMPEROR HAILE SELASSIE I. In Gregory R. Copley's book "ETHIOPIA REACHES HER HAND UNTO GOD" (published by Defence & Foreign Affairs, part of the International Stategic Studies Association) ISBN 1-892998-00-9 (softcover) 1-892998-01-7 (hardcover) Alexandria, Virginia, 1988, he shows a smallish set of ribbons (which during the revolution was in London with Henry Poole for repair, & it survived. The ribbon bars are copyright, but they show 11 rows of 4 accross (44 out of his full set of about 56 known Ribbons). It was lovey to see the actual medals shown within these pages. I have been intrested in Haile Selassie's ribbons ever since visiting Ethiopia before the revolution, sometime in 1965. I have 3 photos of the ribbons, I will ask Megan if she will post them here. JDM

TANZANIA, My memory is also fading, (as well), I have just read about the official width of the Kilimanjaro (page 1) so The National Order of the Star of the United Republic of Tanzania would be (based upon the above): 88mm Sash: dark-green (17mm), blue (15mm), yellow (7mm), black (10mm) & reverse. -many thanks to Jean-Paul. JDM

TANZANIA. There is a more senior Order to the Kilimanjaro, this (I believe) is the "Mwenge ya Jamhuri ya Mungano wa Tanzania" (THE NATIONAL ORDER OF THE STAR OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA) Instituted in 1964, I would guess that the Sash is the same width as the Kilimanjaro (89mm?) of green/blue/yellow/black/yellow/blue/green. Based upon the information below, the widths would be 13/13/6.5/24/6.5/13/13mm. I cannot confirm the widths, as I had the Kilimanjaro 3rd class wrong (I had this with a smaller black central stripe, than shown on page 1 of this forum), so based upon that width upgraded to 89mm, the Kilimanjaro would be 13/13/6.5/24/6.5/13/13mm ?. When I was in Tanzania & in Zanzibar (one year after the union of both) I found no information about Tanzania. Some years ago I bought some Tanzanian ribbons from an ex-Rhodesian Policeman, but he would not part with his complete set of Rhodesian Ribbons. JDM

Danish, Also my mistake, I must get new glasses. JDM

Danish, THE ORDER OF THE SHIELD AND SPEARS OF BUGANDA KINGDOM Have you seen the new 2010 Statutes? What is the above in Luganda or Runganda (local language)? Also are there still the following grades or classeds of Commander, Officer, Member & Medal ?, or has a Grand Cross been added? JDM

Megan, The relevent details were published in the OMRS Newsletter No. 66 on the 1st January 1957. As it's rather long, I will send you an E-mail containing the Statutes. JDM

Buganda Kingdom (Obwakabaka bwa Buganda) Aboilished 8 Sept. 1967, Restored 24th July 1993 Area, 44,979.30 Km2 (17,366,64 Sq. Miles) Census 4.5 Million THE ORDER OF THE SHIELD & SPEARS OF BUGANDA KINGDOM Inst. (by statutes) 8th August 1927, amended 1931, 1937, 1962. Sash & Ribbons, light-yellow/dark-blue/light-yellow/dark-blue/light-yellow/dark-blue/light-yellow Commander, (C.S.S.) Inst. 1962, 102mm Sash, (24/4/6/34/6/4/24mm) Officer (Omutongole) (O.S.S.) Inst. 1927, 50mm Neck Ribbon, (10/2.5/3.5/19/3.5/2.5/10mm) Member (Omukungu) (M.S.S.) Inst. 1927, wears the Star only Medal Inst. 26th May 1937 32mm Breast Ribbon (7/1/2/12/2/1/7mm) Toro Kingdom (Obukama bwa Toro) Aboilished 8 Sept. 1967, Restored 27th July 1993 Area, 8,207 Km2 (3,168.92 Sq. Miles) Census 912,740 THE ORDER OF THE LION, CROWN & SHIELD OF TORO KINGDOM Inst. 1963 Colours of Sash & Ribbons, yellow/dark-blue/yellow Grand Cross, 102mm Sash, (22/58/22mm) Commander ca.51mm Neck Ribbon, (11/29/11mm) Member 32mm Breast ribbon, (8/16/8mm) Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom (Obukama bwa Bunyoro-Kitara) Aboilished 9 Sept. 1967, Restored 11th June 1994 Area, 19,536 Km2 (2,542.90 Sq. Miles) Census 1.2 Million After the foundation of the "modern Orders" (to raise much needed money for the Omukama) oil was discovered within their territory. Ankole Kingdom (Obugabe bwa Ankole) (1901-9 Sept. 1967 aboilished) Area, 16,367.1 Km2 (6,319.38 Sq. Miles) If Ankole were to be restored they would have a census of 2.3 Million. JDM

The "D.K.R.I". Ithink should in fact be the Darjah Kebesaran Kerabai Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Yang Amat Mulia (D.K.R.), ( The Most Esteemed & Magnificent Royal Family Order of Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin ) 90mm Sash, of blue/green/yellow/green/blue (38/3.5/7/3.5/38mm). The Ladies Sash is 60mm, the other smaller ribbon is probably the Service Ribbon. The "D.Z.M.Z." (4th row) should be D.S.M.Z., the "D.Z.M.Z." (5th row) should be S.M.Z. (left), A.M.Z. (centre) & the ribbon to the right is probably the Service Ribbon. JDM

Many thanks Emmanuel & heusy68. What are the ribbon widths? (as you see I'm also into ribbons as well as insignia) Malaysia have the best designed insignia, that I have seen. There will be a new Installation Medal when the Sultan of Kedah is officially installed King, next year (for the 2nd time). JDM

Besides Bunyoro-Kitara, Buganda had The Order of the Shield & Spears of Buganda Kingdom (Inst. 8th August, 1927) in 2 classes, Officer - (O.S.S.), & Member - (M.S.S.), on 26th May 1937 a Medal was added, then on Independence in 1962, Commander - (C.S.S.), was added. Toro also had an Order, The Order of the Crown, Lion & Shield of Toro Kingdom (Inst. 1963) in 3 classes, Grand Cross, Commander & Member. Ankole only had (as far as we know) The Distinguished Service Medal of Ankole Kingdom (Inst. 9th October 1959) with a possable green ribbon (green was the colour of the State Flag) Has anyone heard of the Ankole Medal ? JDM

SAMOA Independent State of Western Samoa (1962 until 1999) Some Act (to authorise awards - no details) approx. 1977 1. Poloaiga Tutasi a Vailima 1977-1992 or 1999? The Grand Order of Vailima Sash about 100mm ? red/white/blue (45/10/45mm) ??? Specially instituted in order to award to H.M. Queen Elizabeth II in 1977. The Merit Act 1992/1993 1. Pine Taualoa a le Susuga Malietoa Tanumafili II (M.T.II D.S.O.) The Malietoa Tanumafili II Distinguished Service Order (Inst. 1993 Obsolete 1999) 2. Pine Taualoa o Tiafau a Samoa i Sisifo (W.S.O.T.) The Western Samoa Order of Tiafau (Inst. 1993-1999, & today as S.O.T. 1999-) This is the highest Order that Samoa can bestow on non-citizens. Possable ribbon green/white/blue ? 3. Pine Taualoa o le Tautua Maoae i Tomai Faapitoe (W.S.O.M.) The Western Samoa Order of Merit (Inst. 1993-1999 & today as O.M. 1999- 4. Tusi Taualoa Faamaonia o le Galuega us maualuga Iona Tauleleia (W.S.C.E.) The Western Samoa Certificate of Excellence (Inst. 1993-1999) (no ribbon) INDEPENDENT STATE OF SAMOA 1999- 1999 O Tulaga Momalu ma Faailonga Taualoa Nu. 20 (THE HONOURS & AWARDS ACT 1999, No. 20 (25th August, 1999) 1. Poloaiga Tutasi a Samoa - Tulaga Faapitoa (G.O.S.) The Grand Order of Samoa 1999 - Special Class of Grand Collar (Awarded to His Highness, The Ao o le Malo, (Head of State) only) 2. Poloaiga Sili a Samoa (no post-nominal letters) The Order of Samoa - Poloaiga Sili a Samoa 1999 3. Poloaiga a Samoa - Tulaga Muamua (O.S.) The Order of Samia 1999 - First Class Neck ribbon (similar to Officer, see below) 4. Poloaiga Faapaaga a Samoa - Tulaga Lua (C.O.S.) Companion of the Order of Samoa 1999 - Second Class Neck ribbon (see Officer below) 5. Pine Taualoao Tiafau a Samoa (S.O.T.) The Samoa Order of Tiafau (1993) 1999 possable colour (similar to O.S.) green/white/blue ? same width as Officer ? (The highest award for a non-citizen, the State can bestow) 6. Poloaiga mo Galuega Maoae ma le Taulelela (O.M.) The Order of Merit (1993) 1999 7. Ofisa o le Poloaiga a Samoa - Tulaga Tolu (O.S.) Note this is the same as above, as it was on the original document. Officer of the Order of Samoa 1999 - Third Class Neck Ribbon, 45mm blue/white/red (approx. 19/7/19mm) 8. Sui o le Poloaiga a Samoa - Tulaga Fa (M.S.) Member of the Order of Samoa - Forth Class possibly similar to Officer 9. Poloaiga a le Ao o le Malo Tautua (H.S.S.O.) The Head of State's Service Order 1999 10. Pine a le Ao o le Malo le Tautua (H.S.S.M.) The Head of State's Service Medal 1999 11. Koluse e Malietoa (M.C.) The Malietoa Cross 1999 12. Koluse a Samoa (S.C.) The Samoa Cross 1999 13. Pine Taualoa a Samoa (S.M.H.) The Samoa Medal of Honour 1999 14 Pine a le Ao o le Malo mo le Lototoa (H.S.M.V.) The Head of State's Medal of Valour 1999 It is now 34 years since the Western Samoa Decorations were introduced in 1977, is there anyone out there with some information, or do we go to Samoa? There is nothing on their website, so far. but I did get a photo of the Officer's neck ribbon, hence the details. JDM

The Kingdom of Tonga now has 31 Post-Nominal (or Abrievated) Letters to its 8 Orders & 7 Medals, plus 3 titles K.C. (King's Counsel of Tonga), P.C. (Member of the Privy Council of Tonga) & S.C. (Member of the Supreme Court of Tonga). These are in ranking order (this order seems to change from time to time): K.G.C.P., K.G.C.G.T., K.G.C.Q.S., K.G.C.C.T., G.C.Q.S., G.C.C.T., G.C.St.G., G.C.O.P., R.F.O., G.C.R.H., K.C.G.T., G.O.St.G., G.O.R.H., C.G.T., C.Q.S., C.C.T., C.St.G., C.R.H., O.St.G., O.R.H., M.Q.S., M.C.T., M.St.G., M.R.H., T.C.M., M.M.St.G., T.M.M., M.H.S., S.C.M., G.S., R.H.M. The Orders (names in Tongan & English): 1. Ko e Fakalangilangi 'o Pouono (K.G.C.P.) The Royal Order of Pouono (Inst. about 1893, in a single class) 2. Ko e Fakalangilangi 'o Ma'olunga 'o Kuini Salote Tupou III (K.G.Q.S., G.C.Q.S., C.Q.S., M.Q.S.) The Most Illustrious Order of Queen Salote Tupou III (Inst. 28th June 2008, in 4 classes) 3. Ko e Fakalangilangi 'o Kalauni 'o Tonga (K.G.C.C.T., G.C.C.T., C.C.T., M.C.T.) The Royal Order of the Crown of Tonga (Inst. 6th April 1913, re-organised 31st July 2008 in 4 classes) 4. Ko e Fakalangilangi Fakakaukau 'o Sa Sia'osi (G.C.St.G., G.O.St.G., C.St.G., O.St.G., M.St.G.) The Royal Military Order of St. George (Inst. 2009 in 5 classes & 3 Associated Medals) 5. Ko e Fakalangilangi Fale 'Alo 'o Kingi Sia'osi Tupou V (R.F.O.) The King George Tupou V Royal Family Order (for Royal Ladies) (Inst. 2008 in a single class) 6. Ko e Fakalangilangi Fale 'Alo (G.C.R.H., G.O.R.H., C.R.H., O.R.H., M.R.H., R.H.M.) The Royal Household Order (Inst. 2009 in 6 classes & 3 Associated Medals) 7. Ko e Fakalangilangi 'o e Finiki (G.C.O.P.) The Royal Order of the Phoenix (Inst. 2010 in a single class) 8. Ko e Fakalangilangi 'o Kingi Sia'osi Tupou I (K.G.C.G.T., K.C.G.T., C.G.T.) The Royal Order of King George Tupou I (Inst. between 1875 & 1890 in 3 classes) JDM

TERENGGANU Order of Sultan Mizan of Terengganu: There are 3 different Orders with his name on them, I sent a Ribbon Plate to GMIC by return on the last notification, ( I dont know how to send photos or scans any other way). 1. Darjah Kebesaran Kerabat Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Yang Amat Mulia (D.K.R.) (The Most Esteemed & Magnificent Royal Family Order of Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin) Instituted 6th July 2000 There seems to be 2 different colours of Sashes, possibly one is the Sultan's (as Grand Master) & the other for general awards? ( a) 100mm Sash, light-green/yellow/green/yellow/light-green (11/31.5/15/31.5/11mm) (b) 90mm Sash, blue/green/yellow/green/blue (38/3.5/7/3.5/38mm) 60mm Ladies Sash, (same colours, as the 90mm) (25/2/6/2/25mm) 2. Darjah Kebesaran Seri Utama Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Yang Amat Terpilih (The Most Distinguished Order of Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin) Instituted 26th May 2005 Seri Utama Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin (S.U.M.Z.) (Supreme Class, or Knight Grand Commander) 100mm Sash, yellow/bright-green/white/bright-green/white/bright-green/white/bright-green/yellow (approx. 5/34.5/5/3/5/3/5/34.5/5mm) 3. Darjah Kebesaran Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Yang Amat Terpilih (The Most Distinguished Order of Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin) Instituted 6th July 2001 Seri Setia Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Terengganu (S.S.M.Z.) (Grand Commander) Here there is confusion as I have 2 different colours for Sashes Possible Grand Master's Sash named as: The Sultan's 100mm Sash, green/white/green/yellow/green/white/green/white/green/yellow/green/white/green (4/1/1/7/1/1/70/1/1/4mm) 100mm Sash, green/white/yellow/white/green/white/yellow/white/green (3/2/2/2/82/2/2/2/3mm) Ladies 60mm Sash (same colours as the 100mm) (2/1.5/2/1.5/46/1.5/2/1.5/2mm) There is another Sash showing up for this Order: 100mm Sash, green/white/green/yellow/white/yellow/white/yellow/green/white/green (approx. 1/10/14/3.5/1/41/1/3.5/14/10/1mm) Ladies 58mm Sash (same colours) (0.5/6/8/2/0.5/24/0.5/2/8/6/0.5mm) JDM

On my last reply, I thought I had seen the white "Austrian styled" ribbon, but having just looked at it, its clearly not belonging to the State Medals for Heroism. JDM

Sarawak has updated their Orders & Decorations, they now have 3 Orders & 4 misc. medals also re-aranged their seniority, the new set-up is (using post-nominals):- S.B.S., D.P., D.A., P.N.B.S., P.G.B.K., D.J.B.S., P.S.B.S., J.B.S., J.B.K., J.P.C., P.P.C., P.P.N.(E), P.P.N.(G), P.B.S., P.B.K., P.P.B., A.B.S., A.B.K., P.P.T., B.B.S. Darjah Utama Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Sarawak (The Most Honourable Order of the Star of Sarawak) in 7 Classes. 1. Satria Bintang Sarawak - (S.B.S.) (Inst. 22nd July 2003) 100mm Sash, plain golden-yellow 2. Panglima Negara Bintang Sarawak (P.N.B.S.) (Inst. 10 July 1964) 100mm Sash black/red/golden-yellow/red/black (16/31/6/31/16mm) 3. Panglima Setia Bintang Sarawak (P.S.B.S.) (Inst. 4th Sept. 1997) about 80mm Sash golden-yellow/black/red/black/gold. yellow (8.5/3/57/3/8.5mm) 4. Johan Bintang Sarawak (J.B.S.) (Inst. 20th June 1973) 45mm Necklet, coloured as PNBS 5. Pegawai Bintang Sarawak (P.B.S.) (Inst. 10th July 1964) 40mm Necklet coloured as PNBS 6. Ahli Bintang Sarawak (A.B.S.) (Inst. 10th July 1964) 40mm Breast Ribbon coloured as PNBS 7. Bentara Bintang Sarawak (B.B.S.) (Inst. 4th May 1970) 40mm Breast Ribbon as ABS. Darjah Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Kenyalang Sarawak (The Most Honourable Order of the Star of the Hornbill of Sarawak) in 6 Classes 1. Datuk Patinggi Bintang Kenyalang (D.P.) (Inst. 26th June 1970) 100mm Sash, golden-yellow/red/black/g-yellow/black/red/g-yellow (2.5/3.5/3.5/81mm plus reverse) 2. Datuk Amar Bintang Kenyalang (D.A.) (Inst. 26th June 1970) 80mm Sash, gold-yellow/black/g-yellow/red/g-yellow/black/g-yellow (4.5/3.5/30/4mm plus reverse) 3. Panglima Gemilang Bintang Kenyalang (P.G.B.K.) (Inst. 4th May 1973) 80mm Sash, red/gold-yellow/black/g-yellow/red (3/35.5/3/35.5/3mm) 4. Johan Bintang Kenyalang (J.B.K.) (Inst. 4th May 1973) 40mm Necklet, red/black/gold-yellow/black/red (2.5/3.5/33mm plus reverse 5. Pegawati Bintang Kenyalang (P.B.K.) (Inst. 22nd July 2003) 40mm Necklet, red/gold-yellow/black & reverse (2/3/30/3/2mm) 6. Ahli Bintang Kenyalang (A.B.K.) (Inst. 22nd July 2003) 40mm Breast Ribbon, black/gold-yellow/red & reverse (3/15.75/2.5/15.75/3mm) Darjah Jasa Bakti Sarawak (The Meritorious Service Order of Sarawak) in 4 Classes 1. Darjah Jasa Bakti Sarawak (D.J.B.S.) (Meritorious Service Order of Sarawak) (Inst. 4th Sept. 1997) About 80mm Sash red/gold-yellow/black/gold-yellow/red (10/27/6/27/10mm) 2. Pingat Perkhidmatan Cemerlang (P.P.C.) (Distinguished Service Medal) (Inst. 26th June 1973) 40mm Breast Ribbon, red/gold-yellow/black/ & reverse (10/8.75/2.5/8.75/10mm) 3. Pingat Perkhidmatan Bakti (P.P.B.) (Meritorious Service Medal) (Inst. 26 June 1973) 40mm Breast Ribbon as PPC above 4. Pingat Perkhidmatan Terpuji (P.P.T.) (Commendable Service Medal) (Inst. 26th June 1975) 40mm Breast Ribbon as PPC above. The rest of the misc. medals are all instituted on 22 July 2003, I dont have any details of ribbons ect. but in a photo further on in the Sarawak theme, you show a white ribbon (mounted Austrian style?) with 2 red stripes (left) and something else to the right?. Pingat Perwira Negeri (Emas) (State Medal for Heroism in gold) (P.P.N.(E) ) Pingat Perwira Negeri (Perak) (State Medal for Heroism in silver) (P.P.N.(P) ) Pingat Perwira Negeri (Gangsa) (State Medal for Heroism in bronze) (P.P.N. (G) ) Pingat Kemerdekaan ke-40 (40th Anniv. Independence Medal) (Inst. 22 July 2003) Details not known. Source (21st May 2009): Sarawak Government Web-site http://www.upak.sarawak.gov.my/index.php JDM