Culture

Located at the crossways of the Indian Ocean shipping lanes on the main seaway around the Indian subcontinent, the Maldives has long been a meeting point for African, Arab, Malay and Indonesian mariners. Throughout the centuries these influences have shaped the Maldivian way of life. This can be seen from the many facets of Maldivian lifestyle such as dining, music, art and craft.

Maldivian Music

Bodu Beru is the most popular form of music and dance in the country, believed to have been introduced in the early 19th century by African slaves. Historians believe that Thaara, which also holds a special place in local entertainment, have been in-troduced from the Middle East in the seventeenth century.

Other forms of dance such as Bandiya Jehun have a strong South Asian flavor. Today western pop and Indian music is popular with the young and old.

Gaa odi lava is a special type of song performed after the completion of manual labor. It was said to have been invented during the reign of Sultan Mohamed Imadudeen I (1620-1648), for the workers who built defenses for the city of Malé. In the early 20th century, Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddeen III ruled the Maldives and the youth developed a form of music called langiri, using thaara as the major source and modifying its performance.

Art and Craft

The Maldivians are skilled craftsmen. This can be seen in several of Maldivian arts and craft; the deft coral stone carvings at Hukuru Miskiiy, the intricate lacquer art, the fine mats woven by the women of Fioari in the south and the work of skilled calligraphers whose works old and new that can be viewed in mosques around the country.

Among the range of Maldivian art and handicrafts made in the region of Thulhaadhoo in Baa Atoll is remarkable. Liye Laajehun also known as Dhivehi as a region is known to specialize in shaping and hollowing out wood pieces to make handcrafted wood boxes, containers and ornamental accessories. The elegant pieces like small pillboxes, vases of different sizes and plates having lids are lacquered with strands of red, black and yellow resin and these are having delicate carvings with flowery patterns. The beautiful mats produced in the country of Maldives are a major attraction among the tourists and these mats are produced by the women of Gadhdhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Island. Women tend to collect reeds known as haa from the Fioari Island and dry them in sun and strain them with natural dyes as the colors vary from fawn to black.

Religious Festivals of Maldives

Religious festivals are celebrated in accordance with the lunar calendar, which means that sometimes festivals are announced a day before or after the given date and sometimes declared even without warning.

Ramadan (Rorda mas):

The 9th month of the Muslim calendar is the month of Ramadan - A festival in which 30 days of fasting is followed. Being a predominantly Muslim nation, the Government offices in Maldives open only between 9.00 am and 1.30 pm during this month. Even the private offices close by 3.00 pm.

Kuda Eid

The end of Ramadan is marked by the festival of Kuda Eid which is celebrated with a big feast. Kuda Eid also commemorates the beginning of the month of Shawaal in the Islamic Calendar. Kuda Eid is celebrated with the sighting of the new moon and announced by cannon in Malé and via television.

Early in the morning, everyone gathers at the mosque to offer prayers to the Almighty and a big feast follows. This is also a period of charity with families offering Zakath to those less fortunate than them. Kuda Eid is celebrated for three consecutive days which are public holidays.

Prophet's Birthday:

The Prophet's birthday, another important religious festival in the Maldives (another religious festival of great importance) is celebrated on the 12th day of the Rabee-ul-Awwal month of the Islamic calendar. Celebrated by all in Maldives, it is a day of great festivity with people visiting each other and relishing the various dishes prepared at each house.

Eid-ul-Al'h'aa:

Eid-ul-Al'h'aa falls on the 10th day of Zul-Hijja of the Islamic calendar. This festival is of such great importance that many prefer to embark on a pilgrimage to Mecca during this period. Those who are unable to go, make sure that the time is of celebration and festivity.

A festival which brings with it the longest public holiday (from five to seven days) also brings with it an atmosphere of revelry and feasting. People plan ahead and visit their friends and relatives staying in different islands. Sports including traditional sports, music and dance all form a part of the festivities with people from all walks of life participating to make it a great event.

National Festivals of Maldives

In Maldives, the National holidays are celebrated with as much fervor as religious festivals if not more. There is an atmosphere of national patriotism and gaiety during the national holidays. The National holidays include the National Day, Independence Day and the Republic day.

National Day of Maldives:

Celebrated in honour of Mohammed Thakurufannu and observed on the first month of Rabee-ul-Awwal, the National Day commemorates the victory of Mohammed Thakurufannu over the Portuguese in 1573.

Independence Day of Maldives:

After being a British Protectorate for about 78 years, Maldives attained independence on 26th July 1965. The Independence Day, observed on the 26th of July every year thereafter, is celebrated with an official event taking place at the Republic Square. The celebrations start in the evening with a march past by the National Security Service and the National Cadet Corps. The march past is followed by performances of drills and traditional dances by school children.

Republic Day of Maldives:

Maldives first became a republic on 1st January 1953, after about 100 years of monarchy. But this republic was transitory as the monarchy was reinstated within the same year. However, on 11th November 1968, a republic was formed once more. Thereafter, the Republic Day is celebrated on the 11th of November, year after year.

The Republic Day of Maldives is celebrated with parades and marches of two types - one of the marching bands and one with smartly dressed children parading the streets with neighbors and others as spectators. Special events are also held to mark this day.