Order of the African Star

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ribbon of the Order
Ribbon of the Order

The Order of the African Star (Dutch: Orde van de Afrikaanse Ster, French: Ordre de l'Étoile africaine) was established by King Leopold II of Belgium on 30 December 1888, in his capacity as ruler of the Congo Free State, and was awarded for services to Congo and for the "promotion of African civilisation in general". It was incorporated into the Belgian honours system on 10 October 1908 following the annexation of the Congo Free State by Belgium. The motto of the Order is "Travail et progrès" (French: Labour and progress). The King of the Belgians is its Grand Master. Even though Congo is no longer a Belgian colony, it is still considered to be a Belgian Order.

Following the independence of Congo, the Order of the African Star was no longer awarded.

[edit] Classes

The Order of the African Star is administered by the FPS Foreign Affairs and has five classes and three medals:

  • Grand Cross, which wears the badge on a sash on the right shoulder, plus the star on the left chest;
  • Grand Officer, which wears the badge on a necklet and a smaller star on the left chest;
  • Commander, which wears the badge on a necklet;
  • Officer, which wears the badge on a ribbon with rosette on the left chest;
  • Knight, which wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest;
  • Gold Medal on a ribbon on the left chest;
  • Silver Medal on a ribbon on the left chest;
  • Bronze Medal on a ribbon on the left chest.
Languages