The
Maldivian
culture is rich with flavors from most of the
seafarers who set foot on its soil.
Traditional dances and music may not be an everyday
event but there are occasions where traditional music
and dances are performed. Though traditional dresses
are not used by present day generation there are many
types of traditional dresses made for both sexes.
Like
the unique geographical
formation, the cultural
events and ceremonials are unique according to the
event that is celebrated or performed. Naming a newborn
child, Bodumaloodhu (a prayer accompanied with festive
meal), Eid festival and circumcision of male child
are few events that take place where the taste of
rich cultural
'cocktail'
can be experienced. Bodu beru (big drum) performance
is the best-known form of performance of traditional
music and dance where females and males participate.
Bandiyaa (a dance performed by woman), Thaara (dance
performed by male) is among the top traditional music
and dances practiced in the Maldives Islands.
A
bodu beru means a big drum, and gives its name to
the best known form of traditional music and dance.
Dancers begin with a slow, nonchalant swaying and
swinging of the arms, and become more animated as
the tempo increases, finishing in a rhythmic frenzy.
There are four to six drummers in an ensemble, and
the sound has strong African
influences. Contemporary local rock bands often perform
at resorts
where they do credible covers of the usual old favourites.
Performing for the local audience, they may incorporate
elements of bodu beru in their music, with lots of
percussion and extended drum solos.
Islam
is the national religion and all Maldivians are Sunni
Muslims. No other religions are permitted, though
ancient beliefs survive for example, islanders fear
jinnis - evil spirits which come from the sea, land
and sky. These are blamed for everything that cannot
be explained by religion or science.
The
beautifully carved tombstones
in some of the old cemeteries
and the fine stone carving of the Hukuru Miskiy in
Male'
bear witness to the intricate skills of Maldivian
stone carvers of the past. Maldivians are deft craftsmen
producing beautifully crafted pieces mostly out of
what is available locally. Although many of the skills
are now a thing of the past several skills have been
passed on from generation to generation and lives
on even today.
The
art of calligraphy
has strong connections with Islam.
Old and new mosques
display beautifully penned versus from the Holy
Quran. The Islamic Centre exhibits some of the
finest samples of the work of modern calligraphers
in the country. While many crafts have become obsolete,
others have found new life with the advent of tourism.
The production of ornaments from tortoise shells and
black coral once valued by visitors has now ceased
completely because of the growing awareness among
the public on the need to preserve the environment.
Fish
and rice
are the staple
foods of Maldivians with meat and chicken eaten
only on special occasions. National dishes include
fried fish, fish curry and fish soup. Arecanut
(an oval nut chewed with betel leaf, cloves and lime)
is the equivalent of an after-dinner mint. Alcohol
is only available in tourist
resorts. The local brew is raa, a sweet and delicious
toddy tapped from the crown of the palm trunk. Apart
from coconuts, there are very few fruits and vegetables
grown on the islands, so most of the food served at
tourist resorts
is imported.
Perhaps
the most distinctive of the Maldivian handicrafts,
these are almost exclusively produced in Thulhaadhoo
in Baa Atoll. Liye Laajehun, as it is called Dhivehi,
which involves the process of shaping and hollowing
out pieces of wood to form beautifully crafted boxes,
containers and ornamental objects. Made from local
funa (Alexandrian laurel) which grows abundantly throughout
the country, they come in various shapes and sizes;
small pillboxes, vases of various sizes to round and
oval plates with lids. These elegant pieces are lacquered
in strands of red, black and yellow resin and delicately
carved with flowing flowery patterns.
Beautiful
reed mats are woven throughout the country, the most
famous of which are those that are woven by women
of Gadhdhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. Thundu Kunaa as
they are known in Dhivehi ranges in size from that
of a place mat to a full sized single mattress. The
women of Gadhdhoo collect the reeds called haa from
the nearby island of Fioari. They are dried in the
sun and stained with natural dyes, the color varying
from fawn to black. These mats with their intricate,
abstract designs are woven on a handloom according
to the imagination and skill of the weaver.
