Datu
''Datu'' is a title which denotes the rulers (variously described in historical accounts as chiefs, sovereign princes, and monarchs) of numerous Indigenous peoples throughout the Philippine archipelago. The title is still used today, though no ...
Sadja is a senior titled nobility in the
Royal Sultanate of Sulu. It is subordinate to the Datu or Su-sultanun which is acquired purely by inherited lineage or formal relationship to the Sultan. The title of
Datu
''Datu'' is a title which denotes the rulers (variously described in historical accounts as chiefs, sovereign princes, and monarchs) of numerous Indigenous peoples throughout the Philippine archipelago. The title is still used today, though no ...
is roughly comparable to European
sovereign princes or
dukes while the title Datu Sadja can be analogous to a
marquess
A marquess (; ) is a nobleman of high hereditary rank in various European peerages and in those of some of their former colonies. The German-language equivalent is Markgraf (margrave). A woman with the rank of a marquess or the wife (or wid ...
or
count
Count (feminine: countess) is a historical title of nobility in certain European countries, varying in relative status, generally of middling rank in the hierarchy of nobility. Pine, L. G. ''Titles: How the King Became His Majesty''. New York: ...
. The rights of the present day customary titles are protected by a special law in the Philippines known as "
The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997". This law allows traditional leadership titles to be conferred, including the title Datu, in a manner specified under the law's implementing rules and regulations which was issued as Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 1998, by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and written specifically under Page 11, Rule IV, Part I, Section 2, Paragraph A-C.
The title of Datu Sadja may be granted for particular merits or achieved through appointment to any of the eight great offices of the realm: Wazir (Prime Minister), Datu Maharaja Adenduk, Datu Maharaja Layla, Datu Amir Bahar are the old great offices. The Royal Commissioner of the Royal Honours & Nobility Commission, Secretary General, Chancellor and Gateway Chronicler King of Arms are the new great offices. This list of offices has varied over time.
In addition, the title Gullal of Datu Sadja is granted if a commoner has performed outstanding deeds or services to the Sultan and the Sultanate through a display of bravery or heroism. The title of Datu Sadja is not hereditary unless the Sultan, in any particular situation, decides otherwise. Preference is given to relatives of past Datu Sadjas. Only those created personally tend to keep the title for life, irrespective of any reappointments or resignations. The title holders hold the style of
His Excellency
Excellency is an honorific style (manner of address), style given to certain high-level officers of a sovereign state, officials of an international organization, or members of an aristocracy. Once entitled to the title "Excellency", the holder ...
(H.E.). Their spouses hold the title of Dayang and hold the style of Her Excellency (H.E.).
The children of Datus Sadjas enjoy the honorary titles of Tuan (for men) and Sitty (for women). This Tuanship descends via the main
male primogeniture.
See also
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Indian honorifics
Indian honorifics are honorific titles or appendices to names used in the Indian subcontinent, covering formal and informal social, commercial, and religious relationships. These may take the form of prefixes, suffixes or replacements.
Native ...
, Filipino and Malay titles originated from these
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Greater India
Greater India, also known as the Indian cultural sphere, or the Indic world, is an area composed of several countries and regions in South Asia, East Asia and Southeast Asia that were historically influenced by Indian culture, which itself ...
*
Indosphere
Indosphere is a term used for areas of Indian subcontinent, Indian linguistic influence in the neighboring Southern Asian, Southeast Asian, and East Asian regions. It is commonly used in areal linguistics in contrast with the Sinophone languages ...
*
Datuk
Datuk (or its variant Dato or Datu) is a Malay language, Malay honorific title commonly used in Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia, as well as a traditional title by Minangkabau people in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Use of the title various between loc ...
, Malay equivalent of Datu Sajda
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Datuk (Minangkabau)
Datuk (or Datuak) is a traditional, honorary title bestowed on a person by the agreement of a people or tribe in the Minangkabau language, spoken by the Minangkabau people of Indonesia and Malaysia.Navis A.A., (1984), ''Layar Terkembang Jadi Guru ...
, traditional title in
Minangkabau community
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Malay styles and titles
The Malay language has a complex system of Style (manner of address), styles, titles and honorifics which are used extensively in Brunei, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and Singapore.
Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, few provinces in the Philippines a ...
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Princely state
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Principality
A principality (or sometimes princedom) is a type of monarchy, monarchical state or feudalism, feudal territory ruled by a prince or princess. It can be either a sovereign state or a constituent part of a larger political entity. The term "prin ...
References
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Sulu
Sulu (), officially the Province of Sulu (Tausug language, Tausūg: ''Wilaya' sin Lupa' Sūg''; ), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province of the Philippines in the Sulu Archipelago.
It was part of the Bangsamoro, Bangsamoro Autonomous R ...
History of Sulu
Noble titles