Culture of Maldives - India Maldives Business and Cultural Council - Global India Business Forum

The culture of the Maldives is a rich tapestry woven from its unique history, geography, and traditions. Here's an overview of some key aspects of Maldives culture:
Number One point Gold Dhivehi Language: Dhivehi is the official language of the Maldives, spoken by the majority of the population. It belongs to the IndoAryan language family and is written in the Thaana script.
Number Two point Gold Islamic Influence: Islam plays a significant role in Maldivian culture, with the Maldives being a Muslim majority country. Islam has influenced various aspects of daily life, including customs, traditions, and societal norms.
Number Three point Gold Traditional Music and Dance: Boduberu is a traditional form of music and dance in the Maldives, characterized by rhythmic drumming, singing, and dancing. Other traditional musical instruments include the bulbul tarang (a type of string instrument) and the kadha (a type of drum).
Number Four point Gold Cuisine: Maldivian cuisine is heavily influenced by its maritime location, with a focus on seafood and coconut-based dishes. Some popular Maldivian dishes include mas huni (a breakfast dish made with tuna, coconut, and onions), garudhiya (a fish soup), and kulhi boakibaa (a fish cake).
Number Five point Gold Traditional Clothing: The traditional clothing of the Maldives reflects its Islamic heritage. For men, the traditional dress is a sarong-like garment called a mundu, often worn with a collared shirt. Women traditionally wear a dress called a libaas or a burugaa, along with a headscarf.
Number Six point Gold Crafts and Artifacts: Maldivian craftsmanship is evident in various forms, including lacquer work, mat weaving, and woodcarving. Traditional crafts often feature intricate designs inspired by nature and Islamic motifs.
Number Seven point Gold Festivals and Celebrations: Islamic festivals such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are widely celebrated in the Maldives, along with National Day and Independence Day. Traditional cultural festivals, such as the Maldives Traditional Food and Music Festival, also showcase Maldivian heritage and cuisine.
Number Eight point Gold Coral Reefs and Marine Life: The Maldives is renowned for its stunning coral reefs and diverse marine life. Activities such as snorkeling, diving, and fishing are integral to Maldivian culture, providing both livelihoods and leisure opportunities

Maldives Clothing

Dhivehi Libaas, the traditional Maldives dress worn by women, is unique to the island, due to its Kasabu Viyun embroidery techniques. Kasabu viyun is gold and silver laced weaving stuck to a patch of garment tied to Dhivehi Libaas. This embroidery is commonly found along the neckline or on the dress’s hem. Normally kurtas and long skirts are embroidered in this way. These traditional Maldivian dresses can be seen on local islands and in the city of Male. The Dhivehi libaas is worn with a feyli underskirt.
Feyli is a black or dark blue wrap-around with a bottom line designed with various stripes. The traditional black lines on this piece of clothing have been replaced by gold and silver to better complement the Libaas. This dress is commonly worn at formal events.

Maldives Food

Mas Huni: :This Maldivian staple is made with shredded smoked tuna mixed with grated coconut, chopped onions, chilies, and lime. It's a versatile dish enjoyed for breakfast or as a light snack.
Fish Curry :: A vibrant and flavourful curry made with various fish varieties; Maldivian fish curries are simply divine. They are typically served with rice, roshi, and papadhu (lentil crackers)
Other interesting dishes to try include:
Bis Keemiya: Savory pastries filled with fish, onions, chilies, and coconut.
Rihaakuru: A paste made with dried and salted fish, often served with roshi.
Saagu Bondibai: A sweet pudding made with coconut milk, sago pearls, and jaggery.

Maldives Art

Lacquerware : This age-old art form involves decorating wooden objects with lacquer, a natural resin. Artisans create beautiful and intricate designs on boxes, plates, bowls, and jewellery using various tools and techniques.
Woodcarving : Maldivian woodcarvings are known for their geometric patterns and calligraphy. They are traditionally used to decorate mosques, houses, and boats.
Mat Weaving : Coir, extracted from coconut husks, is the primary material used for weaving intricate mats in the Maldives. These mats are not only functional but also decorative, used as floor coverings, wall hangings, and prayer mats.
Stone carving : Stone carving is another ancient art form in the Maldives, with historical significance. You will find beautifully carved tombstones and coral sculptures scattered across the islands.

Maldives Film Industry

The Maldivian film industry, though not massive, has its own unique identity and space within the Maldivian cultural landscape. Here is a breakdown of what to know:
Early Days and Genre: Introduced in the 1970s, Maldivian cinema took off in the 1990s. Melodrama is the dominant genre, with films featuring star-crossed lovers, family conflicts, and convenient plot twists. Bollywood influences with a Maldivian touch.
Language: Dhivehi, the Maldivian language, is the primary language used in films. However, with growing international collaborations, English is making its way in as well

Maldives Economy

Real GDP is expected to grow by 6.5% in 2023, with an average growth of 5.4% from 2024 to 2025. There is a positive outlook for the country's medium-term growth, primarily driven by a thriving tourism sector.
While tourism will remain a primary engine of growth, Maldives stands to benefit by promoting more eco-tourism and fisheries development, prioritizing limited infrastructure financing for remote areas, and encouraging more private sector investment in such a way that growth is inclusive, greener and resilient to climate and other shocks. Maldives has excelled in providing infrastructure services.