The Oriental Order of Humility The first predecessor from which modern day AMOS derives is the Oriental Order of Humility (OOH) which was purportedly founded by Dr. E. A. Baxter in 1876 in NY and 1879 in Canada. if it served as an appendant body for the
Knights of Pythias, if it was open to men from multiple orders, or if there were multiple orders operating under the name Oriental Order of Humility. At least some instances of the OOH were known to relate to Xerxes as did later incarnations. According to one source, the OOH was initially known as the Grand Oriental Order of Humility. There is also some variation in known officer titles with the presiding officer alternatively referred to as the Worthy Grand Chief or as the Most Potent Grand Seignor and the other officers known as Noble Vizier, Reverend Friar, Reverend Monitor, Chief Herald, and Seneschal; This ritual was later expanded into a full-blown ritual by James Smith of
London, Ontario and John A. MacDonald, who later went on to the first Supreme Monarchos of the Supreme Orient when it was founded in 1901. The local bodies of OOH&P were referred to as Sanctorums. The two ranks of members were Tribesmen who had taken the Degree of Humility and Sheiks who had further taken the Degree of Perfection.
The Imperial Order of Muscovites The
Imperial Order of Muscovites (IOM) was established in 1894 in
Cincinnati, OH and was only open to Odd Fellows. Unlike most other social side bodies of fraternal orders, the IOM opted for a Russian theme instead of the standard Middle-Eastern, styling local bodies Kremlins and referring to the chief officer as the Czar. As with most other similar groups, however, the Muscovites did adopt a fez as their official regalia, albeit a non-standard one with a band of fur along the brim they referred to as a
busby. The IOM additionally spawned an affiliated appendant body for women who were Rebekahs known as the Lady Muscovites in June 1925. It was active in a variety of states throughout the Midwest and
Western United States. In
Oregon and
Washington, the Kremlins created their own separate Imperial Kremlin under the name Improved Order of Muscovites and adopted alternative ritual work and regalia.
The Pilgrim Knights of Oriental Splendor The Pilgrim Knights of Oriental Splendor (PKOS) began in
Atlanta, GA with the formation of Pharaoh Palace No. 1 in Fall of 1915. It admitted only men who were third degree Odd Fellows and spread throughout the states of the Southeast United States, including
Georgia,
Alabama, and
Tennessee. The PKOS were known to put on street parades, including stunts, and conferred a degree known as the Pilgrim Knight degree. Their governing body was known as the Supreme Palace. The regalia for Pilgrim Knights was a purple fez with a yellow tassel, having a metallic sphinx head on a star, covering a downward pointing crescent.
The Ancient Mystic Order of Cabiri The Ancient Mystic Order of Cabiri (AMOC) was founded as a playground order for the Odd Fellows around 1920, beginning with Oakland Council No. 1 in
Oakland, CA. The bodies of the Order were named after the cities they met in, which included San Francisco,
Sacramento, and
Marysville in addition to Oakland. The groups held social dances in addition to ceremonials and stated meetings and were also known to organize the Cabiri Band which held public performances.
The Veiled Prophets of Baghdad The Veiled Prophets of Baghdad (VPB) was formed with the establishment of Azar Imperial Clan No. 1 in
St. Joseph, MO followed by Zoar Clan No. 2 in
Kansas City, KS in 1921. It was a purely social order, only accepting Odd Fellows as members and having a fez for its regalia. The Clan officers included a First Caliph, Desert Guide, High Priest, Recording Scribe, Master of the Exchequer, and Master of the Guard. There was additionally an associated women's group known as Princess of Baghdad, having as officers a Prophetess, High Princess, Desert Guide, Recording Scribe, Financial Scribe, and High Priestess. The women's Clans wore fezzes and capes.
The United Order of Splendor and Perfection After the subject had been discussed for several years, representatives of all the participating orders gathered at the Oriental Order of Humility and Perfection's annual Supreme session in August 1924 to vote on consolidation and select a new name. The plans to merge the Odd Fellows fez-wearing appendant bodies were completed on August 11, 1924, with the establishment of the United Order of Splendor and Perfection. A new ritual was adopted based on the literature and customs of the Aztecs. The symbol created for the newly merged group was a blazing volcano with a red "X" on the face of a blue field. The Improved Order of Muscovites from the Pacific Northwest opted not to participate in the merger at this time. Following much internal strife, the group was re-organized in 1925 as the Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans with the new addition of the Improved Order of Muscovites as well as the Veiled Prophets of Baghdad. == See also ==