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| INTRODUCING MALDIVES |
Nation of islands
A string of pearls scattered over the deep blue Indian Ocean -
The first glimpse you get of this fascinating atoll- formation confirms two unique aspects of the Republic of Maldives:
Not only does it consist of the most beautiful tropical islands, but 99% of its 90.000 km² is covered by the sea.
1190 islands are spread over 26 atolls, ringlike coral formations enclosing a lagoon, which gives the Maldives its unique paradise-like appearance.
They stretch for about 820 km from North to South, 130 km at the widest point and do not exceed a length of 4.5 miles or an altitude of 6 feet above sea level.
No more than 200 islands are inhabited, the rest includes the 87 tourist resorts and uninhabited islands, some of which are used for drying fish or other agricultural activities.
The capital Malé, the seat of government and the centre of trade, commerce, business, health and education, is located in the middle of the atoll chain, a small island buzzing with the sounds and activities of about 75.000 people which is about one third of the population.
Early Settlers
Legend has it that a prince and his wife, the daughter of the King of today's Sri Lanka, stopped at Raa Atoll during a voyage and were invited to stay as rulers.
Later King Koimala and his wife settled in Malé with permission of the Giraavaru tribe, the aboriginal tribe of Kaafu atoll. Nowadays Giraavaru people are still easily recognisable through their clothes and hairstyle, but only a few hundred of them are left and were resettled in Malé in 1978. Their island, Giraavaru has been transformed into a tourist resort.
Aryans from India and Sri Lanka are believed to have settled in the Maldives from 1500 BC onwards - according to latest archaeological findings. "Elu", an archaic form of Sinhala (spoken in Sri Lanka) shows great similarities to Dhivehi.
As a favourite stop-over on the busy trade routes, the Maldives have had many visitors and influences, trading with Arabia, China and India with coconut, dried fish and above all the precious cowry shell, a small white shell found on the beach, used as currency in countries near the Indian Ocean. These shells were found as far away as Norway or West Africa showing the extent of the trade relations of the Maldives.
Conversion to Islam
Mohamed Ibn Batuta, a Moroccan traveller who visited the Maldives in the 14th century recorded an interesting legend on how the country converted to Islam.
Abul Barakaath Yoosuf Al Barbary, an Islamic scholar, visited the Maldives during a time when people lived in fear of the "Rannamaari", a sea-demon, who came out of the sea once a month threatening to destroy everything unless a virgin was sacrificed. The unfortunate young girls were chosen by lot, had to stay in a temple near the seashore and were found raped and dead in the morning.
The daughter of the house he was staying at had been selected to be the victim and he decided to save her.
Disguised as a girl he spent the night in the temple reciting continuously from the Holy Koran. In the morning when people went to find out the fate of the chosen girl they were amazed to find him alive and still reciting the Koran.
When the King found out that the demon had been defeated through the power of the Holy Koran he embraced Islam and ordered all the subjects to follow him.
Maldivian Heroes
The Portuguese had a keen interest in the Maldives due to the availability of cowry shells, and ambergris, an important ingredient in perfumes, and had been approached by the formerly expelled Sultan, Hassan IX to help him regain his throne.
Three attempts were repelled mainly due to Ali Rasgefaanu, who proved to be a brave and tough fighter. He became Sultan Ali VI but only for a few months as he was killed during another Portuguese attack, dying a martyr's death. His tomb, built at the very spot where he died in the sea is now on dry land due to the reclamation of land in Malé. Martyr's day, a public holiday, has been devoted to him.
The next 15 years saw the darkest period in Maldivian history, when the Portuguese tried to enforce Christianity upon the islanders.
Mohamed Thakurufaanu and his two brothers from the island of Utheemu, used a form of guerilla warfare for eight long years, during which one of the brothers was caught and beheaded. Their strategy was to land on an island at night, kill the Portuguese in a surprise attack and sail off before dawn.
Thakurufaanu sought the help of the Malabari, killed the Portuguese leader Andreas Andre, locally known as Andiri Andirin, and recaptured Malé.
He was made Sultan and reigned for 12 years forming a trained standing army, introducing coins, improving trade and religious observance and founding a dynasty that lasted for 132 years.
The British Protectorate
On December 16, 1887 the Sultan of the Maldives signed a contract with the British Governor of Ceylon turning the Maldives into a British protectorate.
The British government promised the Maldives military protection and non-interference in local administration in exchange for an annual tribute paid by the Maldives.
In 1957 the British established a RAF base in the strategic southernmost atoll of Addu for £2000 a year, where hundreds of locals were employed.
19 years later the British government decided to give up the base, as it was too expensive to maintain.
Independence
The Maldives gained independence on July 26, 1965.Three years later a republic was declared with Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir as the first president. In 1978 President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom became president and has been re-elected thrice since then.A coup attempt in 1988 by Sri Lankan mercenaries was successfully repelled.
Small as it is the Maldives has always maintained independence and a strong unity despite influences and threats from outside. They are now an internationally renowned country, a member of the UN, WHO, SAARC, Commonwealth, the Non-Aligned Movement and others and play an important role in advocating the security of small nations and the protection of the environment.
National Flag
The colours green, red and white characterize the Maldivian National flag: The green rectangle, which represents the innumerable palm trees, the life source of the islands, is surrounded by red, the blood of the nation's heroes in sacrifice, and is dominated by a white crescent in the centre - the symbol of Islamic faith.
National Emblem
The crescent, a star, a coconut palm, two national flags and a banner with the traditional title of the state " Ad Dawlat, Al Mahaldheebiyya" ("The State of the Maldives") represent the National emblem used on government documents.
National Tree
Maldivians have done the beneficial coconut palm justice by declaring it the National Tree in 1985. All parts of it can and are used; there is no waste. Its branches are used as material for the roofs, giving them their thatch-like appearance and for brooms, essential for the daily sweeping of the roads and yards. On special occasions you can admire huge fish or other objects and decorations made out of these branches - an artform in itself.
The fruit itself is an essential part of Maldivian cuisine, the juice of a young fruit "kurumba", is a delicious, refreshing drink, the ripe coconut is used with dried fish, in shorteats or as coconut milk.
Coconut shells are a good source of fuel keeping a fire burning for a long time and on the islands you can still find specially made irons heated by these shells.
National Flower
The pink rose was declared National Flower in 1985. It is a rare beauty - just like the country it represents.
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