Monday, September 5, 2011

Istana Guard Changing Ceremony

On every first Sunday of the month, except July and August, the guards will perform a Changing of Guards Ceremony to signify a change of duties in the Istana for one month before another unit takes over.
Witnessing it for the first time, I wasn't too sure what was going to happen.

We were there almost an hour before it starts at 6pm. The crowd was starting to build up quickly and soon filled up the barrier perimeter.







Part of the spectators were being asked to move aside to open the barrier for the guards and the military police to enter, as they marched from Orchard Road to the Istana.

The Military Police was first, followed by the Band and then the Guards.





Once both the old and new Guards were at the main entrance of the Istana, the ceremonial procedure began. Commands were shouted and the Guards did their marching.





And when I turned around from the ceremony, I saw this man running with a ladder for a photojournalist. It became useful at a later part of the event.





So after the marching has ended, the Military Police began their performance with their fanciful drills which they spun their guns, threw them into the air and a little stiff dancing with their bodies all with precise synchronisation.





This was when the ladder that the man brought became useful to stand out from the crowd and gave a different viewpoint.





Soon after the Military Police finished their performance, guards did their last round of shouting of commands, the new Guards marched into the Istana and the old Guards marched out together with the Military Police and the band.




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