The Royal House of Sulu

HISTORY

Royal Sultanate of Sulu was founded in 1457 by Malacca born scholar, Sayed-al-Hashim Abu Bakr. After the marriage of Abu Bakr and local Dayang-Dayang (princess of the first degree) Paramisuli, he founded the sultanate and assumed the title Paduka Mahasari Maulana al Sultan Sharif ul-Hāshim. Sultan Sharif ul-Hāshim was a direct descendant of Islamic prophet Muhammad.

SOVEREIGNTY

Sovereign rights over Sulu were transferred in 1851; Sovereign rights over North Borneo were transferred in 1962; The abolition of the Royal Sultanate of Sulu in 1936 did not abolish the Sultan nor his line of succession. In 1962 Philippine Government again officially recognised the continued existence of the Royal Sultanate of Sulu.

PRESENT SITUATION

The current ruling Royal House of Sulu is the Royal House of Kiram. The Royal House of Kiram descends from Sultan Jamalul Kiram I, who was the Sultan of Sulu from 1823-1844.

CURRENT LEGITIMATE HEAD OF THE ROYAL SULTANATE OF SULU

Raja Muda Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram, the eldest son, legitimate heir and successor to His Majesty late Sultan Moh. Mahakuttah A. Kiram, Sultan in the State of Sulu and all its districts and dependencies (1974–1986) is the current head of the Royal House of Sulu from 16 February 1986 to present.

Datu Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram was crowned as Raja Muda of Sulu on 24 May 1974 beside his father in Sulu, under Memo Order 427, which was issued by His Excellency President Ferdinand Marcos, President of Philippines. Raja Muda Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram is the last recognised Raja Muda of Sulu by Philippine government. Whereas, Memo Order 427 states that "The Government has always recognised the Sultanate of Sulu as the legitimate claimant to the historical territories of the Republic of Philippines". On 15 August 1974 Raja Muda's father Sultan Moh. Mahakuttah A. Kiram submitted the organisational structure of the Sultanate of Sulu to the President of Philippines. The above named structure stated that Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram is the Raja Muda of Sulu.

Members of the Royal House of Sulu hold the style of His/Her Royal Highness (HRH). The adopted members (their spouses and their children) of the Royal House of Sulu hold the style of His/Her Highness (HH).

SOCIAL CLASS SYSTEM

Among the people of Sultanate of Sulu, the title of nobility could be acquired only by lineage, a "close system" whereby the titled persons inherit their offices of powers and prestige.

There are two main social classes in Royal Sultanate of Sulu:

1.Datu

The ruling class

1.1 Datu (su-sultanun), which is acquired purely by lineage to the sultanate. Whereas, all male members of the Royal House of Sulu should hold this hereditary title and should hold the style: His Royal Highness or His Highness, according to the traditional customs of Royal House of Sulu. Whereas, their spouses should automatically hold the title of Dayang Dayang (princess of the first degree) and should hold the style: Her Royal Highness or Her Highness.

1.2 Datu Sadja, which may be acquired through confirming the titles (gullal) on the middleman of the Sultan. The gullal is made if a commoner has achieved outstanding feats or services in line of duty through display of bravery, heroism, etc. Datu Sadja is life title of nobility and the title holders should hold the style: His Excellency. Whereas their spouses should hold the title of Dayang and should hold the style: Her Excellency.

2. Maharlika

The commoners

The commoners are those who do not trace their descent from royalty. The Wakil Kesultan's, Panglimas, Parkasa's and Laksaman's who are commoners hold responsible positions involving administrative matters.

2.1 Wakil Kesultanan - region representative outside Royal Sulu Sultanate
2.2 Panglima - region representative inside Royal Sulu Sultanate
2.3 Parkasa - aid-de-camp of region representative inside Royal Sulu Sultanate
2.4 Laksaman - sub region representative inside Royal Sulu Sultanate

The males who hold offices above shall be addressed by the title of nobility Tuan (the title is directly attached to the office), followed by the rank of the office they hold, their given name, surname and region.

The females who hold offices above shall be addressed by the title of nobility Sitti (the title is directly attached to the office), followed by the rank of the office they hold, their given name, surname and region.

The Royal and Hashemite Order of the Pearl

In his care for preservation of the ancient customs of the Sultanate and the values of the nation, Ampun Sultan Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram in 2011 used his right of a fons honorum to create an Order, thus developing the traditional honours of the Royal court in a form accepted internationally.

The Royal and Hashemite Order of the Pearl is the dynastic Order of the Royal House of Sulu, which serves as the premier premial institution and the highest personal honour of and in the Royal Sultanate of Sulu. The Order is an honourable and nobiliary corporation instituted as a dynastic Order of Datuship analogous to traditional dynastic Orders of Chivalry, and is in direct continuation from the ancient customs and distinctions of the Royal Sultanate of Sulu and the Court of the Sultan. Ampun Sultan Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram, as Head of the Royal House of Sulu, is the Hereditary Sovereign and Grand Sayyid of the Order, and His Heirs and Successors as Heads of the Royal House of Sulu, shall ever be Sovereigns and Grand Sayyids of the Order.