Joanna James
A tropical tourist destination like no other, the Maldives is also a country with proud culture and heritage. Since it's a Muslim country, its culture has been majorly influenced by Islamic beliefs, but they all add uniqueness to this island nation. Here are some cultural facts about the Maldives.
When referring to the main sites of attraction in the Maldives, they are not just about the shipwrecks, the underwater world, and the beaches. The Maldives also has many heritage sites that include mosques, cultural statues, and other monuments. If you get a chance to head to Male, the capital city of the Maldives you find a lot of attractions such as the Old Friday Mosque that showcase the pride of the nation. When traveling to these attractions, make sure you dress appropriately so that you don't get embarrassed by the comments or frowns.
In any culture, music, and dance play an important role. It's the same with the Maldivian culture as well. Every dance performance and musical play in the Maldives has a background story linked with the history of the country, and that's worth exploring. Bodu Beru can be called the most famous entertainment performance in the Maldives, and this act uses traditional drums as well. There is also another dance in the Maldives called the "Bandiya Dance" where ladies dance to the rhythms with water pots on their heads. Traditional occasions and national parades often feature these entertainment items, and all of them are equally amazing.
If you are staying at a good property like Hardrock Hotel Maldives, you get the chance to enjoy a lot of local dishes because they don't only serve you international dishes. The Maldives lacks no fish, palm oil, or spices, so in every local dish, you find these 3 ingredients in abundance. Not just the taste, these Maldivian dishes also have unique names such as Huni Roshi, Garudhiya, and Tuna Bajiya. If you are someone who had tried out Sri Lankan / Indian / African dishes before, do not be surprised if you find some similarities here and there.
There are many family-friendly Maldives resorts, and what you wear during your family vacation (when you are at the resort) is entirely up to you. No one will come to you and point at you even if you wear a swimsuit. But- when you go out in the cities and explore public places, there is a dress code that you should adhere to. Men and women in the Maldives wear long clothes (sarongs and libaas) respecting religious norms and they expect travellers also to wear similar clothes when in public.
The local language in the Maldives is called "Dhivehi". Even this language has some Sri Lankan, African and Indian touches, and you will quickly notice it if you are familiar with these languages. Assalaam Alaikum (Hello), Shukuriyyaa(Thanks), Kihineh (Ho are you?) are some of the most used phrases in the local language and locals will also be pleased to hear travellers speaking their language instead of speaking English.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
