4 0 / T H E S T . R E G I S M A L D I V E S V OMMU L I R E S O R T / H O S T H A N D B O O K
Culture Located at the crossways of the Indian Ocean shipping lanes on the main sea way around the Indian subcontinent, the Maldives has long been a meeting point for African, Arab, Malay and Indonesian Mariners. Throughout the centuries these influences have shaped the Maldivian way of life. This can be seen from the many facets of Maldivian lifestyle such as dining, music, art and craft. Art & Craft The Maldivians are skilled craftsmen. This can be seen in several of Maldivian arts and craft; the deft coral stone carvings at Hukuru Miskiiy, the intricate lacquer are, the fine mats woven by the women of Fioari in the south and the work of skilled calligraphers whose works old and new that can be viewed in mosques around the country. Music Bodu Beru is the most popular form of music and dance in the country, believed to have been introduced in the early 10th century by African slaves. Historians believe that Thaara, which also holds a special place in local entertainment, have been introduced from the Middle East in the seventeenth century. Other forms of dance such as Bandiya Jehun have a strong South Asian flavour. Today western pop and Indian music is popular with the young and old. History The early history of theMaldives is enshrined inmyth and legend.Archaeological records indicate that the first visitors to the Maldives stepped ashore over 5000 years ago. According to folkshore the Maldives was first colonized by an Indo-Aryan race between the fourth and fifth centuries B.C
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