Joanna James
The Maldives might be most famous for its beaches and luxurious resorts, but if you look underneath the surface, you'll find that these islands have a unique culture that's all their own. One of the most fascinating aspects of this culture are the outfits – here's a closer look at these garbs.
The Dhivehi Libaas is one of the most unique outfits associated with the Maldives. This is a traditional garment worn by the island's women – it showcases a number of signature embroidery techniques called the Kasabu Viyun. The embroideries are usually present along the neckline or the next to the borders of the dress. Most Dhivehi Libaas is woven with bright and colourful fabrics in order to add even more style and substance to this traditional garb. While looking for activities to do in the Maldives, you might have decided to visit the capital city of Male and take a tour of the area. Well, if that's the case, you're sure to find dozens upon dozens of local women wearing this dress as you traverse the streets. If you happen to be relaxing at a Maldives beach resort – say, for example, the Adaaran Prestige Water Villas – during one of the islands many celebratory festivals, be sure to head out into town. At these celebrations, you'll see the finest Dhivehi Libaas that the Maldives have to offer!
Islam is prevalent throughout the Maldives, and its influences can be seen in the local attire as well. As such, it's not uncommon to see women wearing black robes and headscarves on the islands. That being said, burqas aren't just worn alongside traditional attire, you'll find plenty of women who pear it up with fashionable dresses.
The Dhigu Hedhun is essentially the national dress for Maldivian women. The dress is often used to express Maldivian identity. The dress itself goes for an elegant design that's made to fit seamlessly with the contours of the body. The gown itself is primarily made up of lace with woven adornments being added in on certain designs. Generally, the Dhigu Hedhun is worn for special occasions like the New Year and local celebrations. It is worn as an everyday dress in more rural areas of the Maldives however.
You'll find plenty of young girls in the Maldives wearing this traditional dress. Originally, the Hedhun Buri was an outfit that was considered as everyday-wear. Over time, however, it became more closely associated with festival season and dancing groups. The outfit itself is a long shimmery blouse that's paired with a wrap-around skirt. Often times, the outfit is also matched with a headband. These days, the Hedhun Buri is relatively hard to find – you'll most likely have to dig around souvenir shops to find a quality dress.
The Sarungan is the traditional dress worn by men in the Maldives. This is a relatively simple outfit – especially compared to the previous few dresses. It is essentially a long piece of clothing wrapped around the waist, combined with a long-sleeved shirt – most notably a white one.
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