Art & History of Maldives

Art and history of Maldives is known to be twin pillars representing the cultural heritage of the island nation of Maldives. The aspects of art and history in Maldives go hand in hand as they both tend to compliment each other grossly in terms of representing Maldives as a cultural destination on the global platform. The history of Maldives transformation from a Buddhist nation to a Muslim nation serves to explain the various influences of the art and craft works produced in Maldives. Knowing about art and history of Maldives promotes the aspect of cultural knowledge about Maldives. The realm of art in Maldives represents the aspect of fine stone carving of the Hukuru Miskiiy featuring the intricacies of stone carvers in

Maldives and these handcrafted art works are available locally. These art forms are known to have strong connections with Islamic art works displayed in the old and new mosques in Maldives. Some of the samples of the modern calligraphers in the country are represented by Islamic Center. The ornaments produced from tortoise shells and black coral has now gone out of fashion with the tourists due to the growing public awareness of environment preservation.

Among the range of Maldivian art and handicrafts made in the region of Thulhaadhoo in Baa Atoll is remarkable. Liye Laajehun also known as Dhivehi as a region is known to specialize in shaping and hollowing out wood pieces to make handcrafted wood boxes, containers and ornamental accessories. The elegant pieces like small pillboxes, vases of different sizes and plates having lids are lacquered with strands of red, black and yellow resin and these are having delicate carvings with flowery patterns. The beautiful mats produced in the country of Maldives are a major attraction among the tourists and these mats are produced by the women of Gadhdhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Island. Women tend to collect reeds known as haa from the Fioari Island and dry them in sun and strain them with natural dyes as the colors vary from fawn to black.

The nation of Maldives is known to consist of 26 atolls which tend to feature 1192 islands. The islands were ruled by the sultans and sultanas since the ancient times and Maldives since ancient era is known to have a strategic importance due to its location near the key marine routes to the Indian Ocean. Both the neighbors of India and Sri Lanka are known to have cultural and economic ties with Maldives. Maldives went under British protection policies in the 19th century and the initial interferences by the European powers came to end as the monarchs of Maldives were granted substantial amount of self governance. Maldives gained independence in 1965.

Maldives traces its early history from the time of the settlers of the Dravidian origin. But this can’t be emphasized as the first settlers didn’t leave any archeological proves of their settlements. The first archeological remains are known to have belonged to the Buddhist period in Maldives which is known to have led the foundations in the history of Maldives. The recent archeological discoveries reveal the Buddhist influences of Mahayana and Vajrayana. Maldivian population was introduced to the concepts of Islam in the 12th century but compared to the other South Asian countries the conversion of Maldives to Islam took place comparatively late.