The culture of the

Maldives The Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, and historically known as the Maldive Islands, is an Archipelagic state, archipelagic country in South Asia located in the Indian Ocean. The Maldives is southwest of Sri Lanka and India, abou ...

is derived from a number of sources, the most important of which is its proximity to the shores of

Sri Lanka Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, also known historically as Ceylon, is an island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, separated from the Indian subcontinent, ...

and

South India South India, also known as Southern India or Peninsular India, is the southern part of the Deccan Peninsula in India encompassing the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana as well as the union territories of ...

. The population is mainly Indo-Aryan from the anthropological point of view. Islam is considered the religion of the country and only Muslims can become legal citizens.

Influences

The

Dhivehi language Dhivehi, also spelled Divehi, is the main language, used in the Maldive Islands. This may refer to: * Dhivehi people, an ethnic group native to the historic region of the Maldive Islands * Dhivehi language, an Indo-Aryan language predominantly sp ...

is of Indo-Iranian

Sanskritic Sanskrit (; stem form ; nominal singular , ,) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in northwest South Asia after its predecessor languages had diffused there from the northwest i ...

origin and therefore closely related to Sinhala, which points at a later influence from the north of the subcontinent. According to legends, the kingly dynasty that ruled the Maldives in the past has its origin there. These ancient kings may have brought

Buddhism Buddhism, also known as Buddhadharma and Dharmavinaya, is an Indian religion and List of philosophies, philosophical tradition based on Pre-sectarian Buddhism, teachings attributed to the Buddha, a wandering teacher who lived in the 6th or ...

from the subcontinent, but it is not clear. In Sri Lanka, there are similar legends, but it is improbable that the ancient Maldives royals and Buddhism came both from that island, because none of the Sri Lankan chronicles mentions the Maldives. It is unlikely that the ancient chronicles of

would have failed to mention the Maldives, if a branch of its kingdom had extended itself to the Maldive Islands. Since the 12th century AD, there have also been influences from

Arabia The Arabian Peninsula (, , or , , ) or Arabia, is a peninsula in West Asia, situated north-east of Africa on the Arabian plate. At , comparable in size to India, the Arabian Peninsula is the largest peninsula in the world. Geographically, the ...

in the language and culture of the Maldives, because of the general conversion to

Islam Islam is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the Quran, and the teachings of Muhammad. Adherents of Islam are called Muslims, who are estimated to number Islam by country, 2 billion worldwide and are the world ...

at that time, and its location as a crossroads in the central Indian Ocean. In the islands' culture, there are a few elements of African origin as well, from slaves brought to the court by the Royal family and nobles from their Hajj journeys to Arabia in the past. There are islands like Feridhu and Maalhos in

Northern Ari Atoll Alif Alif Atoll (also known as Northern Ari Atoll or Ari Atholhu Uthuruburi) is an administrative division of the Maldives. It was created on March 1, 1984, combining northern section of Ari Atoll, the small Rasdhukuramathi Atoll, and the isolat ...

, and Goidhu in Southern Maalhosmadulhu Atoll where many of the inhabitants trace their ancestry to released African slaves.

Society

Public holidays in the Maldives include both civilian dates and Islamic religious holidays.

Gender and sexuality

The status of women in the Maldives was traditionally fairly high, as attested to in part by the existence of four Sultanas. Women typically wear the

veil A veil is an article of clothing or hanging cloth that is intended to cover some part of the human head, head or face, or an object of some significance. Veiling has a long history in European, Asian, and African societies. The practice has be ...

, but are not required to do so by law nor are they strictly secluded. Special sections are reserved for women in public places, such as stadiums and mosques. Women do not accept their husbands' names after marriage but maintain their maiden names.

Inheritance Inheritance is the practice of receiving private property, titles, debts, entitlements, privileges, rights, and obligations upon the death of an individual. The rules of inheritance differ among societies and have changed over time. Offi ...

of property is through both the paternal and maternal lines. Women have always had an important role in the family and community. In the early history of Maldives, it was not uncommon to have a woman as a Sultana or ruler and it has been suggested that Maldivian society was once a matriarchy. Maldivian culture shares many aspects of a strong

matriarchal Matriarchy is a social system in which positions of power and privilege are held by women. In a broader sense it can also extend to moral authority, social privilege, and control of property. While those definitions apply in general English, ...

tradition with ancient Dravidian culture. A unique feature of Maldivian society is a very high divorce rate, which has been attributed by some as due to early marriage. Others have seen this extremely high divorce rate as reflecting the combination of liberal Islamic rules about divorce and the relatively loose marital bonds that may be produced by the lack of a history of fully developed agriculture and the accompanying codes of agrarian honour and property relations.

Polygamy in the Maldives Polygamous unions, specifically polygynous unions, are legal in the island nation of the Maldives, though such unions have been reported to be uncommon. Fifty-nine polygamous marriages took place in 1998. Polygamy is also specifically covered by ...

is legal, though such unions have been reported to be very uncommon. Even so, fifty-nine

polygamous Polygamy (from Late Greek , "state of marriage to many spouses") is the practice of marrying multiple spouses. When a man is married to more than one wife at the same time, it is called polygyny. When a woman is married to more than one h ...

marriages Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...

took place in 1998.

Polygamy Polygamy (from Late Greek , "state of marriage to many spouses") is the practice of marriage, marrying multiple spouses. When a man is married to more than one wife at the same time, it is called polygyny. When a woman is married to more tha ...

is also specifically covered by a 2001 Maldivian law, which orders courts to assess a man's finances before letting him take another wife. Prostitution in the Maldives is illegal and can result in prison, while foreigners may be deported. Homosexuality in the Maldives was criminalised in the 1880s.

Cuisine

The cuisine of Maldives is mainly fish as the fishing industry is the second-largest industry in the country. Daily meals include rice and fish, the most common foods, with fish being the most important source of protein in the average diet. In the past very few vegetables were eaten due to a lack of farming land in the country. Most food served in tourist resorts is imported. On ceremonial occasions, meat other than pork is eaten. Alcohol is not permitted except at tourist resorts. Basic commodities such as rice, sugar, and flour are imported. A popular Maldivian dish is

garudhiya Garudhiya or garudiya () is a clear fish broth. It is one of the basic and traditional food items of Maldivian cuisine. The broth is based on tuna species found in the nation's ocean waters such as skipjack ''(kanḍumas'' or ''goḍa)'', yel ...

, a fish broth with rice, typically eaten with rice, fried or grilled fish,

chili pepper Chili peppers, also spelled chile or chilli ( ), are varieties of fruit#Berries, berry-fruit plants from the genus ''Capsicum'', which are members of the nightshade family Solanaceae, cultivated for their pungency. They are used as a spice to ...

, lime, onions, garlic and theluli faiy (fried monringa leaves). In addition to this, people in the Maldives eat roshi (flatbread) with Kulhi mas (fresh tuna cooked with chili, tomato paste, coconut milk, oil, onion, salt and spices),

Mas huni Mas huni () is a typical Maldivian breakfast, comprising tuna, onion, coconut, lime juice, salt to taste and chili. All ingredients are finely chopped and mixed with the grated meat of the coconut. This dish is usually eaten with freshly baked ...

(

canned tuna A tuna (: tunas or tuna) is a saltwater fish that belongs to the Tribe (biology), tribe Thunnini, a subgrouping of the Scombridae (mackerel) family. The Thunnini comprise 15 species across five genera, the sizes of which vary greatly, rangin ...

, onion, grated coconut, lime juice, salt and chili),

Rihaakuru Rihaakuru (; pronounced ) is a tuna-based thick sauce. The color varies from light brown to dark brown. It is a traditional dish of Maldivian cuisine, consumed almost daily in every household in Maldives and in Minicoy since ancient times. Rihaaku ...

(tuna-based thick sauce) and different types of curry.

Arts

; Fish drawings from astrology books,

Fuvahmulah Fuvahmulah (Dhivehi language, Dhivehi: ފުވައްމުލައް) is an island (atoll) in the Maldives. It is under Maldives' administrative division of Gnaviyani Atoll, Gnaviyani (or Nyaviyani) Atoll. The island is the second southernmost admini ...

File:Fish17.jpg File:Fish73.jpg Fish108.jpg Fish128.jpg Fish131.jpg Fish132.jpg

Crafts

The Maldives holds a rich art and craft heritage such as Mat weaving, rope weaving etc. File:Malaafaiy Tulhaadu5.jpg, Top of a ''malaafaiy'' (wooden cover for food items) with Arabic writing. Lacquered wood made in

Thulhaadhoo Thulhaadhoo () is the second highest populated inhabited island of Baa Atoll. History The island has been reclaimed by the government recently. The island is famous for its lacquer Lacquer is a type of hard and usually shiny coating or ...

Island, 1985. File:Gaddu-mat1.JPG, Quality Mat from Gaddhu,

Huvadhu atoll Huvadhu, Suvadive, Suvaidu or Suvadiva is the atoll with the most islands in the world. The atoll is located in the Indian Ocean. It is south of the Suvadiva Channel in the Republic of Maldives with a total area of 3,152 km2, of which 38. ...

Sailing

File:Dn6.jpg,

Dhoni Mahendra Singh Dhoni (; born 7 July 1981) is an Indian professional cricketer who plays as a right-handed batter and a wicket-keeper. Widely regarded as one of the most prolific wicket-keeper batsmen and captains and one of the greatest O ...

File:Nlbtl-5.jpg, Naalu battheli, a Maldive fishing sailboat transformed into a temporary trading boat. File:Hafali doni fuamulaku09.jpg, Hafali doni. A six-oared fishing boat with a detachable mast and a square sail.

, 1982. File:Fua Mulaku-ready for the journey.jpg, Ready for the journey. Goods on the beach prepared to be loaded on the boat. The bundle of the trader's bedding is on top of the heap. Fuvahmulah, 1981. File:Fua Mulaku-loading boat.jpg, Loading goods on a boat bound for the capital. Fuvahmulah, 1981. File:Fua Mulaku-boat arrival.jpg, Boat arrival in Fuvahmulah, 1982 File:Bokkura-Fua Mulaku.jpg, Bokkura

Folklore

The Maldivian folklore is the body of myths, tales and anecdotes belonging to the oral tradition of

Maldivians Maldivians (, ) are an Indo-Aryan peoples, Indo-Aryan ethnic group and nation native to the Maldive Islands, constituting the Maldives, Republic of Maldives and the island of Minicoy (within Lakshadweep, a union territory of India). They share ...

. Even though some of the Maldivian myths were already mentioned briefly by British commissioner in Ceylon

HCP Bell Harry Charles Purvis Bell, CCS (21 September 1851 – 6 September 1937), more often known as HCP Bell, was a British civil servant and the first Commissioner of Archaeology in Ceylon. Early life Born in British India in 1851, he was sent to ...

towards the end of the 19th century,HCP Bell, ''The Máldive Islands: An account of the Physical Features, History, Inhabitants, Productions and Trade''. Colombo, 1883 their study and publication were carried out only quite recently by Spanish writer and artist

Xavier Romero-Frias Xavier or Xabier may refer to: Place * Xavier, Spain People * Xavier (surname) * Xavier (given name) * Francis Xavier (1506–1552), Catholic saint ** St. Francis Xavier (disambiguation) * St. Xavier (disambiguation) * Xavier (footballer, born ...

, at a time when that ancestral worldview was quickly disappearing.

, ''The Maldive Islanders, A Study of the Popular Culture of an Ancient Ocean Kingdom'', Barcelona 1999, File:Be-holhudu1.jpg, ''Be''. Popular celebration in Holhudu Island. Men dressed like evil spirits walk around the island scaring the children. File:Be-holhudu2.jpg, ''Be''. Popular celebration in Holhudu Island. Men dressed like evil spirits beat empty ''bandiyaa'' water pots in the night.

Music and dance

Culturally, Maldivians feel some affinity to

Northern India North India is a geographical region, loosely defined as a cultural region comprising the northern part of India (or historically, the Indian subcontinent) wherein Indo-Aryans (speaking Indo-Aryan languages) form the prominent majority populati ...

through their language, which is related to the languages of North India. Most older generation Maldivians like to watch Hindi movies and listen to Hindi songs. Many popular Maldivian songs are based on Hindi tunes. The reason is that out of a similar language, similar rhythms and cadences develop. In fact, it is very easy for Maldivians to fit local lyrics to a Hindi song.

Bollywood Hindi cinema, popularly known as Bollywood and formerly as Bombay cinema, is primarily produced in Mumbai. The popular term Bollywood is a portmanteau of "Bombay" (former name of Mumbai) and "Cinema of the United States, Hollywood". The in ...

songs are among the most popular songs in Maldives, especially the old ones from

Mohammad Rafi Mohammed Rafi (24 December 1924 – 31 July 1980) was an Indian playback singer. He is considered to have been one of the greatest and most influential singers of the Indian subcontinent. Rafi was notable for his versatility and range of voice ...

Mukesh Mukesh is an epithet for the Hindu god Shiva, and literally means "conqueror of the Muka demon". It is commonly used as a male given name in India. People with the name Mukesh include: * Mukesh (singer) (1923–1976), Indian playback singer from ...

Lata Mangeshkar Lata Mangeshkar (; born Hema Mangeshkar; 28 September 1929 – 6 February 2022) was an Indian playback singer and occasional music composer. She is considered to be one of the greatest and most influential singers of the Indian subcontinent. He ...

, and

Asha Bhonsle Asha Bhosle (; ; born 8 September 1933) is an Indian playback singer, entrepreneur, actress and television personality who predominantly works in Indian cinema. Known for her versatility, she has been described in the media as one of the ...

. Therefore, most local Maldivian dances and songs are based in (or influenced by) North Indian ''

Kathak ''Kathak'' is one of the eight major forms of Classical Indian dance, Indian classical dance. Its origin is attributed to the traveling bards in ancient northern India known as ''Kathakar'' ("storyteller"), who communicated stories from the ...

'' dances and Hindi songs. The favourite musical instrument of Maldivians is the '' bulbul tarang'', a kind of horizontal accordion. This instrument is also used to accompany devotional songs, like ''Maulūd'' and ''Maadhaha''. The ''Bodu Beru'' (literally "Big Drum") drumming performances are said to have African roots. File:Gaa_odi_lava1.jpg, Gaa odi lava. Popular celebration in Holhudhoo Island. Dance performed by men, 1991. File:Maahefun_Celebration_at_Fuvahmulah_Thoondu.jpg, Every year peoples of Fuvahmulah Celebrate Maahefun at Fuvahmulah Thoondu area which is the north beach of

File:Maahefun_Celebration_at_Fuvahmulah_Thoondu.JPG, Every year peoples of Fuvahmulah Celebrate Maahefun at Fuvahmulah Thoondu area which is the north beach of

File:Maahefun_Fuvahmulah.JPG, Maahefun Festival in Fuvahmulah was held on July 31, 2011, with more than 4000 people from

and other islands of Maldives.

References

*Divehiraajjege Jōgrafīge Vanavaru. Muhammadu Ibrahim Lutfee. G.Sōsanī. Male' 1999. *

, The Maldive Islands, An account of the physical features, History, Inhabitants, Productions and Trade. Colombo 1883, *

, The Maldive Islanders, A Study of the Popular Culture of an Ancient Ocean Kingdom. Barcelona 1999, *Divehi Tārīkhah Au Alikameh. Divehi Bahāi Tārikhah Khidmaiykurā Qaumī Markazu. Reprint 1958 edn. Male’ 1990. {{DEFAULTSORT:Culture Of The Maldives *