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Language and Culture of Maldives:
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The origins of the Maldivian people are
shrouded in mystery. The First settlers may well have been from Sri
Lanka and Southern India. Some say Aryans, who sailed in their reed
boats from Lothal in the Indus Valley about 4,000 years ago,
probably followed them. Archeological evidence suggests the
existence Hinduism and Buddhism before the country embraced Islam in
1153 A.D.Not surprisingly, the faces of today’s Maldivian display
the features of various faces that inhabit the lands around the
Indian Ocean shipping and maritime routes, the Maldives has long
been a melting pot for African, Arab and South East Asian mariners.
Language
The language of the Maldivians is Dhivehi, a
language which is placed in the Indro-Indian group of languages. Dhivehi
with its roots in Sanskrit and according to some researchers Elu, an
ancient form of Sinhala, (spoken in Sri Lanka), is strongly influenced
by the major lanuguages of the region. The language has been influenced
heavily from Arabic since the advent of the Islam in 1153 and English in
more recent times, especially since the introduction of English as a
medium of education in the early 1960s.
Given the wide dispersion of islands it is not
surprising that the vocabulary and pronunciation vary from atoll to
atoll, with the difference being more significant in the dialects spoken
in the southernmost atolls.
The Maldivian script known as thaana was invented
during the 16th century soon after the country was liberated from
Portuguese rule. Unlike former scripts thaana is written from right to
left. This was devised to accommodate Arabic words that are frequently
used in Dhivehi. There are 24 letters in the thaana alphabet.
Dhivehi Phrases
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Hello (formal) |
Assalaamu Alaikum |
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Hello (informal) |
Kihineh? |
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How are you? |
Haalu kihineh? |
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Yes |
Aan |
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No |
Noon |
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Where? |
Kobaa? |
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Why? |
Keevve? |
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Who? |
Kaaku? |
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There |
Ethaa |
|
Here |
Mithaa |
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What? |
Koacheh? |
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This |
Mi |
|
That |
E |
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What is (your)name? |
Kon nameh kiyanee? |
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My name is |
Aharenge namakee |
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Good |
Ran'galhu |
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Goodbye (informal) |
Dhanee |
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Where are you from? |
Kon rasheh? |
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Thank you |
Shukuriyaa |
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I am sorry |
Ma-aafu kurey |
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How old are you? |
Umurun kihaa vareh? |
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My age is |
Aharenge umurakee
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Where are (you) going? Or What place are we
going? |
Kon thanakah dhanee? |
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What time are (we) going? |
Kon irakun dhanee? |
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What is the price? |
Agu kihaavareh? |
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How long will it take? |
Kihaa ireh nagaanee? |
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What time is it? |
Gadin kihaa ireh? |
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What island is that? |
E-ee kon rasheh?
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Family Life
The close-knit island communities practice mutual aid to
survive difficult circumstances. A system of extended families provide a
safety net for members of a family going through a difficult period. In
addition to the parents other members of the family also contribute in
the care of children. Traditionally men go out fishing during the day
and women are responsible to look after the affairs of the family and
vary often the community. This remains so even today in smaller island
communities.
Religion
Since Maldives embraced Islam in 1153, Island has been
central to the life of Maldivians. The main events and festivalss of
Maldivian life follow the Muslim Calendar. From infancy children are
taught the Arabic alphabet. Religious education is provided both at home
and at school. Islam is part of the school curriculum and is taught
concurrently with other subjects.
Food
Maldives being at an important crossroad in the Indian Ocean,
traders and visitors over time have left their mark on Maldivian cuisine
in addition to contributing towards the moulding of the country’s
culture and norms.
As the Maldives comprises more sea than land, it is only natural that
fish (mainly tuna) have always been the most prominent element of
Maldivian food. However, with travelers from different parts of the
world, new seasonings and vegetables were introduced in to the country
and added to the existing (limited) repertoire of seafood and tubers
(e.g. taro & sweet potato). Each new discovery was incorporated into the
diet in quantities most palatable to Maldivians. Thus Maldivian cuisine
now comprises Arabic, Indian, Sri Lanka and Oriental tastes blended into
a unique cuisine that embodies a culinary identity of its own
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