Malacca Stick.
30-11-2022
Some traditional values becomes compulsory part of our life where we can't afford to avoid it or some times it becomes an Identity for some reasons. Exactly same as our traditional wearing which shows from which area or province we belong.
Malacca is an island under treaty of Singapore which has nothing special except the special verity of bamboo which called "Ratin" . This bamboo has knots on every 5cm , most familiar for its lightest weight and strong sticks then any other Bamboo. Mostly these sticks called Malacca sticks.
A tradition started from British army officers where the higher rank commanders keep this stick with them as symbol of rule and power. The lately it becomes part of the uniform in subcontinent. Even after independence the army of Pakistan , India, srilanka and Bangladesh keep this Malacca stick tradition with them and until now these countries and UK itself and some parts of Africa, the army officers in Higher ranks keep this symbolic stick with them as part of uniform.
It normally has 24 inches length with good finish. After cutting the exact size , it kept in shadow to dry up then put in straight frames to keep it straight after dry up . It polished by light brown colour of special verity. At the end it's testing happened physically where it's flexibility , strength and reliability checked.
It costing around $60-100 each stick. It is compulsory for COAS ( Chief of army staff) and other core commanders to keep it with them officially but when they met civilian then should be side off .
Whenever change of command happens upon completing the service tenors , promotion to high rank and transfer inter departments the stick also hand over to new commander as good will.
Especially on the retirement of army chiefs this stick also handover to new army chief in special ceremony. It symbolises the transfer of powers as well . We all know that no any power lies in stick because power always belongs to designation or position but symbolically this stick goes to new army chief.
Just yesterday a new army chief Asim muneer took oath of his office as new army chief in Pakistan. The previous chief hand over Malacca stick to new chief in colourful deciplined ceremony. This ceremony has great importance because the transfer of powers didn't completed without it.
Are you know an interesting thing, if it broken or lost by any officer,it can't be replaced untill it's position not changed. For example, a general oppointed as DG ISPR so he can't get any other stick untill not promoted to other rank or transfer to other department.
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Lead image: Samaa
Middle image: minutemirror
That's true this stick holds great importance for them,specially in the matter of achieving any higher rank.