Culture

Maldivian culture is derived from a number of sources and factors. These include its proximity to Sri Lanka and South India, East Africa, the Malayan Archipelago and the Middle East via its conversion to Islam in the 12th century, and its location as a crossroads in the central Indian Ocean. Maldivians are of Sri Lankan and Southern Indian origin. There are also elements of Arabian, African, and Indonesian origin as well. Maldivian culture shares many aspects with Sri Lanka and Kerala, namely a strong matriarchal tradition.

Music and Dances

Culturally, Maldivians feel some affinity to Northern India through their language, which is related to the languages of North India. Many older generation Maldivians like to watch Hindi movies and like to listen to Hindi songs, and numerous popular Maldivian songs are based on Hindi tunes.

The favourite musical instrument of Maldivians is the bulbul, a kind of horizontal accordion. This instrument is also used to accompany devotional songs, like Maulud and Maadhaha. The Bodu-Beru (literally 'Big Drum') drumming performances are said to have African roots.

Among the popular celebrations, some include carnival-like costumes, such as Maali Neshun, Bodu Maali, Bey and Bodu Mas. The costumes are made with palm frond and sack cloth, and some of them look quite spectacular.

Religion

The Maldives is an almost exclusively Islamic society. It is common to hear Maldivians refer to their country as a '100 percent Muslim country.' But the isolation of Maldives from the historical centers of Islam in the Middle East and Asia has allowed some pre-Islamic beliefs and attitudes to survive.

There is a widespread belief in jinns, or evil spirits. For protection against such evils, people often resort to various charms and spells. The extent of these beliefs has led some observers to identify a magico-religious system parallel to Islam known as fanditha, which provides a more personal way for the islanders to deal with either actual or perceived problems in their lives. However this is a dying tradition that can be seen in only rural areas.