Maldives Travel Guide

Special Offers

This is Maldives Maldives Introduction
This is Maldives Location and Geography
This is Maldives History and Culture
This is Maldives Economy and Politics
This is Maldives Myth and Folklore

Maldives Visitor Guide

This is Maldives Travel Tips
This is Maldives Resorts and Hotels
This is Maldives Cruising in Maldives
This is Maldives Diving in Maldives
This is Maldives Surfing in Maldives
This is Maldives Attractions & Activities
This is Maldives Water Sports

Maldives Investor Guide

This is Maldives General Information
This is Maldives Regulations & Laws
This is Maldives Tourism Industry
This is Maldives Fishing Industry
This is Maldives Garment Industry
This is Maldives Transport & Aviation

Maldives Websites

This is Maldives Travel Agents
This is Maldives Dive Providers
This is Maldives Safari Boats
This is Maldives Maldives Government
This is Maldives Newspapers & portals
This is Maldives Companies
This is Maldives Maldives Timeshare
This is Maldives Maldives Directory

Images of Maldives

This is Maldives Capital Male'



History

The origin of the first settlers of the Maldives still remains a mystery. The historians date early settlers back to 5th century BC with the Aryan immigrants coming from the neighbouring countries India and Sri Lanka. The Maldivian language is said to be Indo-Aryan with influences from Sinhalese, Tamil, Sanskrit, Persian, Urdhu and Arabic. It is believed that Hinduism existed before Buddhism. The Maldivians were practising Buddhism until AD 1153, when a learned scholar converted the king to Islam.

Maldives History
» Colonial powers and the Maldives
» The First Constitution and Maldives Republic
» 'United Suvadheeb Republic'
» The Second Republic

The exact name and origins of this scholar is an ongoing debate. Some are of the opinion that he was a Moroccan traveller named Sheikh. Abul Barakaath Yoosuful Barubaree. Others say that he was from Persia and known as Sheikh Yoosuf Shamsudheenul Thabreyzi. Mr Mohammed Ibrahim Luthufi, an acclaimed contemporary historian and researcher, claims that the name of the person who converted Maldivians to Islam was Sheikh Aburikaab Yoosuf Thabreyzi.

Maldives children, have proud and a long history
Maldives children, have proud and a long history

Since the conversion to Islam, the Maldives boasts of a recorded history that is rich and colourful. The system of government was a monarchy with Sultans as sovereigns while Sultanas or queens ruled on rare occasions. Traders from Arabia, India, Sri Lanka and Persia visited the Maldives to exchange goods. Slaves were also brought from Africa. Quite often, sailors were shipwrecked in the treacherous reefs of Maldives. These visitors contributed much to the language and culture of the Maldives. However, the visitors' influence did not change the identity of the country as a secluded haven virtually unknown to the rest of the world.

Culture

The Maldivian culture is rich with flavours 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.

Maldivian girl in a traditional dress
A Maldivian girl in a traditional dress

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) performanceis 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 Maldive Islands.

Traditional food basically fish used as the main component has been influenced from the Indian subcontinent. Garudhya (tuna soup), spicy curry and rice are the stable food of most of the population. Most other dishes such as western meals like pasta are normally modified with a flavour of tuna in it when prepared for local consumption. Other meats and chicken are normally eaten in special occasions.

 

 

Special Offers
 
 

 

Computer Translation
English German Spanish French Italian Portuguese Russian Greek Chinese
© 2011 This is Maldives.com - Site Map | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Contact us | Links