This is a picture of two sets of stamps of Maldivian boy scouts. If closely observed to the bottom of the stamp sets it shows a faded image of the Maldivian national emblem. (Click the picture to get an larger view.) It has a written text reading "International Boy Scouts Jamboree, Farragut Park, Idaho, USA from August 1-9, 1967".
This indicates that these stamps were taken to Twelfth World Scout Jamboree which was held in Farragut Park, Idaho, USA from August 1-9, 1967. However it is not clear whether scouts from Maldives actually took part in this world event or not, there is no mentioning of Maldivian Scouts participation in this world scout jamboree in any written Maldivian scout history. It may be possible that this set was made by the British since the British stayed in the Maldives for sometime.
The Republic of Maldives was never under direct British rule. As the British came to control virtually all of the area of the Indian Ocean by the late nineteenth century, the Maldivian Sultan established an agreement with the Governor of Ceylon in 1887. This agreement allowed the Maldives to enjoy the status of a protected state without actually becoming a protectorate. Thus, the British only controlled external affairs and had no jurisdiction to involve themselves in the internal matters of the islands (although it is said that attempts at interference in internal affairs were made at times). Until Maldives obtained full independence from their protected status under the United Kingdom in July 1965.
Scouting officially began in Maldives on 19th Shawal 1375 H, 30th May 1956. This date is the day Scouting was registered in the Government of Maldives. this was during the time of when Maldives was under protected status of the British Empire. These stamps prove that Maldivian scouting had been recognized or known in world scouting (as its found in the largest world scout event at the time) not long after officially beginning scouting in the country.
The Republic of Maldives was never under direct British rule. As the British came to control virtually all of the area of the Indian Ocean by the late nineteenth century, the Maldivian Sultan established an agreement with the Governor of Ceylon in 1887. This agreement allowed the Maldives to enjoy the status of a protected state without actually becoming a protectorate. Thus, the British only controlled external affairs and had no jurisdiction to involve themselves in the internal matters of the islands (although it is said that attempts at interference in internal affairs were made at times). Until Maldives obtained full independence from their protected status under the United Kingdom in July 1965.
Scouting officially began in Maldives on 19th Shawal 1375 H, 30th May 1956. This date is the day Scouting was registered in the Government of Maldives. this was during the time of when Maldives was under protected status of the British Empire. These stamps prove that Maldivian scouting had been recognized or known in world scouting (as its found in the largest world scout event at the time) not long after officially beginning scouting in the country.
In 1963, Scouting in Maldives received United Kingdoms recognition when the Scout Group of Majeediyya School was registered as the First Male' Scout Group at the Imperial Scout Headquarters, London, by Mr. C. Dymoke Green, Commonwealth Scout Commissioner.
Extract taken from Wikipedia about the 12th World Scout Jamboree:
With its theme For Friendship, the 12th World Jamboree attracted 12,011 Scouts from 105 countries, including 1,300 from the United Kingdom, the largest contingent from outside North America. For the British Scouts, dressed in their new uniforms, it was a highlight to their Diamond Jubilee Year.
Yet the story of these stamps remain unknown to me ... if anyone can tell me more about this please email me or just leave an comment.
Extract taken from Wikipedia about the 12th World Scout Jamboree:
"The 12th World Scout Jamboree was held July 31 to August 9, 1967 and was hosted by the United States at Farragut State Park, in the Rocky Mountains of Idaho, the second World Scout Jamboree in North America.
With its theme For Friendship, the 12th World Jamboree attracted 12,011 Scouts from 105 countries, including 1,300 from the United Kingdom, the largest contingent from outside North America. For the British Scouts, dressed in their new uniforms, it was a highlight to their Diamond Jubilee Year.Amongst the distinguished visitors were World Chief Guide Olave Baden-Powell and Vice President of the United States, Hubert H. Humphrey. Memorable features of the Jamboree included a reconstruction of Baden-Powell's Brownsea Island campsite, arena shows, Skill-o-Rama, adventure trail, the specially stocked fishing area and boating and other water activities on Lake Pend Oreille, in addition to a visit to a rodeo and a repeat of the Friendship Wide Gameintroduced at the 11th World Scout Jamboree in 1963."
Yet the story of these stamps remain unknown to me ... if anyone can tell me more about this please email me or just leave an comment.
My search continues ... email send to prominent Scouters in Maldives:
Dear all
Greetings from Mysore,
I have come across a very interesting photo of two Maldivian Scout Stamp sets dated 1967. These stamp sets on the photo may possibly be a souvenir that was made by the Maldives or by the British who stayed in Maldives. However close observation to the bottom of each set shows a fade image of the Maldivian National Emblem, which makes me believe that it was prepared by the Government in Maldive. The sets have a text below reading out "International Boy Scouts Jamboree, Farragut Park, Idaho, USA from August 1-9, 1967". Now this particular jamboree happens to be the 12th world scout jamboree that was held in Idaho, USA.
This comes to the question whether Maldivian Scouts actually attended this world event in 1967? However there has been no written record of any Maldivian Scouts participating in that event.
In 1967 Maldives had already become independent from the British empire (Independence was granted on 26 July 1965) however some British still may have remained in Maldives as it can be understandable that they would need time to dismantle and completely be gone. If so, this may have been something they made. But then again they would not have used the Maldivian national emblem or "Dhau lathuge Nishaan"!!!
At this perticular time in Maldivian history Sultan Fareed was ruling Maldives. Scouting already had officially began in Maldives back in 19th Shawal 1375 H, 30th May 1956. [Please note that scouting started in Maldives at the time of Sultan Fareed (sultan of Maldives from 1952-68), the patron of Scouting was then the Prime Minister Sumul Ameer Ibrahim Famuladheri Kilegefaan and theScout Commissioner was Sahibul Saadha Ibrahim Nasir and the Chief Scout was Wazeerul Maarif (Minister of Education) Hon. Ibrahim Shihab and the Scout Master was Bandhu Mohamed Kalefanu.] In 1963, Scouting in Maldives received United Kingdoms recognition when the Scout Group of Majeediyya School was registered as the First Male' Scout Group at the Imperial Scout Headquarters, London, by Mr. C. Dymoke Green, Commonwealth Scout Commissioner.
I have shared this with some of my friends and one of them has good connections with the old philatelists (stamp collectors) crowd in Male' and the post office so he will try to find more about the date the stamps were actually made. However if any of you know anything about these sets and any information on why there has been a mentioning of the 12th World scout jamboree in USA in these sets, what sort of connection is there between the jamboree and these sets please let me know. (This may lead to a new historical finding, did Scouts actually go to the world jamboree in 1967? What sort of involvement was there??) The First recorded scout trip abroad or over seas was to Sri Lanka to take part in the Sri lankan Moot in 1969.
Please find the Article I have wrote about the stamp sets:
Regards
Yours in scouting
MAEED
Comments
I have two sets of these stamps in bulk like you.
One without the mark of the jamboree, which predates
The other was "overloaded" with the text.
There are 4 stamps per set
And it was normal for a country to do just to have revenue stamps. still is
Often authorizing a European or American Printer
So stamps are not coming into the country. Sold directly from Europe or North America.
This means that many are considered false or abusive
In this case the second
If they are recognized as the Maldives, and there are other series of Scouts.
Need not have gone to the jamboree to issue them
May be in adherence
A hug
Your Brother Scout
Richard Aguila Tranquil
richardafates@yahoo.com.ar