Every country you visit possesses its unique characteristics adding to the overall experience of the visitor. In the case of the Maldives, a cluster of quintessential islands in the Indian Ocean the same is true with the lovely palette of nature’s gifts on the archipelago encompassing a long history, influenced primarily by Islamic religion and the traditions making the nation a warm-hearted race with a high set of values.
A rich history
Inhabited over 2500 years ago the foremost settlers have been from the South Asian subcontinent, predominantly from India and Sri Lanka. Its strategic location made the Maldives an active hub for traders and travellers between the west and the east thus making the early settlers colonize the Maldives to gain benefit from the location as well as the natural resources.
Against this backdrop, the Maldives has had longstanding dealings with the important civilisations of ancient times such as Rome and China. There are well-preserved copper plates engraved with Maldivian Texts called Loamaafaanu chronicling details of the Kings and the rich history of the nation in their National Museum.
Complementing the Loamaafaanu are other chronicles done by a few international travellers, outstanding among them are the ones of Chinese historian Ma Huan and the famous Arabian traveller Ibn Battuta.
Culture, Language and Religion
International relations between the Maldives and the west going up to Rome and the east going up to China seemingly influenced the customs and even social behaviour of Maldivians making their culture a vibrant mix of beliefs, traditions and customs embraced by the locals.
Their local language, Dhivehii from the Indo-Aryan language family, is used extensively even today and as visitors, you will hear it spoken widely at many hotels in Maldive Island.
Buddhism spread to the Maldives in the 3rd century BC and many archaeological remains of Buddhist Stupas and monasteries lie on around 59 islands. The last Buddhist king of the Maldives converted to Islam in 1153 AD as Muhammed Ibn Abdulla. Since then the nation has embraced Islam as their religion and with that, a new transformation permeated the Maldivian culture.
Music, Performing Arts and craft
Influenced by Indian and Western connections, the Maldives performs a wide array of music and dance forms. A traditional Dhivehi cultural display with singing and dancing called Bodu Beru is a treat to watch with Bodu Beru performers (mostly men) in traditional sarongs and white shirts keep dancing to the beat of drums is enjoyed by guests at resorts such as Adaaran Select Meedhupparu.
The dance forms performed by females are Langiri and Jehun etc using variations of rhythmic music.
The warmth of the People
The Maldivians are warm and friendly people who love to welcome visitors to their tropical island home. It is noted that most hotels welcome their guests with a fresh coconut drink so they can appreciate nature’s fine gifts in their homeland.
With well-entrenched roots of ancestry traced back to Sinhalese in Sri Lanka, Gujarati and Marathi of India, and Arabs of the Middle East and Northern Africa who have had close relationships with the Maldives, they remain a mix of races, enriched with a vibrant culture.
Presently, all Maldivians share the same religion Islam as well as history, language and culture making them live in harmony as an inclusive society making the archipelago a relatively safe destination for visitors like yourselves.
Be Aware of the influences of Islam as the religion
- Be respectful of Islamic culture, and be modestly dressed in public places (the only exception is private resort islands)
- Similarly no alcohol in public places, the exception being private resort islands
- Friday is the day for religious activities, hence public ferry services will not be operated.
