This post is about the People of the Maldives. An island republic in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives comprises around 1,200 tiny coral islands and sandbanks, 200 inhabited and arranged in groups called atolls. The Maldives has a population of roughly 550,000, spread out across 200 inhabited islands and several atolls.
The Maldives are home to people from all over the world, including Sri Lanka and India. The official language is Dhivehi, an Indo-European language commonly known as Maldivian. The whole population of the Islamic Republic of the Maldives adheres to Sunni Islam since Islam is the state religion.
History and Culture
The Maldives have a long history and rich culture affected by many outside influences. The first inhabitants of the Maldives were Aryans from neighboring Sri Lanka. Before the Arab conquest of the Maldives in the 12th century, Buddhism was the country’s official religion. The Kalingas, an essential ancient Indian clan, are credited with inspiring the Maldives’ conversion from Buddhism to Islam. The Sultans and Sultanas of the Maldives. Before becoming a Kingdom in 1968, the Maldives was a Portuguese colony from 1558 until 1573. The Maldives’ culture is influenced by that of Sri Lanka, Africa, India, and the Arab world.
Anthropologically speaking, the majority of the people are Indo-Aryan. The nation’s official religion is Islam, and only Muslims can apply for citizenship. The Maldives has a long fine arts and crafts history, including rope weaving and mat making. All Maldivians are proud to have combined elements of all these civilizations to create something of their own. The cuisine of the Maldives has a rich culinary history and is inspired by the cultures of India, Sri Lanka, and the Arab world. Garudhiya, Mas huni, and Fihunu mas are well-known seafood dishes from the Maldives. Alcohol is prohibited in the Islamic nation of the Maldives, although ‘raa,’ a native toddy, is. Due to its low height, the Maldives, one of the world’s poorest developing nations, is endangered by global warming.
The traditional way of life of the Maldivians.
Food:
Maldivian cuisine is influenced by Indian, African, Arab, and Sri Lankan cultures.
Seafood plays a significant role in the Maldivian diet due to the abundance of marine resources.
Traditional Maldivian dishes include:
Garudhiya: A fish broth served with rice, lime, chili, and onions.
Mas huni: Smoked shredded fish served with grated coconuts and onions.
Fihunu mas: Barbecued fish basted with chili.
Alcohol is prohibited in the Maldives due to its Islamic culture, although people consume a local toddy called ‘raa’.
Clothing:
Traditional Maldivian clothing for men is called “Dhigu Hedhun” and consists of a sarong-like garment wrapped around the waist, paired with a shirt called “Feyli.”
Women traditionally wear a dress called “Libaas” or “Feyli” along with a headscarf called “Hijab.”
Traditional clothing is still worn on special occasions and cultural events, while Western-style dress is more common in everyday life.
Customs:
Various traditions influence the Maldivian culture, but Maldivians have built and preserved their unique cultural identity.
The Maldives converted to Islam in the 12th century; today, the country is predominantly Islamic.
Society has historically been closely knit and disciplined due to the unity of religion and language.
Fishing has been a vital part of the Maldivian way of life, with expertise in fishing being a significant aspect of their culture.
Traditional music and dance play a role in cultural celebrations and events.
The Maldivian people have a strong sense of community and hospitality, welcoming visitors with warmth and kindness.
How the Maldives has changed, and how this has affected the people.
The Maldives has undergone significant changes over time, which have impacted its people. Here are some of the changes and their effects:
Demographic Transition:
The Maldives’ demographic transition, which has led to a change from high birth and death rates to low ones, is practically complete. The population’s age and sex composition have changed due to this transformation.
Environmental Challenges:
Due to its low height, the Maldives, one of the world’s poorest developing nations, is endangered by global warming.
Cultural Changes:
The Maldives have a rich cultural past inspired by many religions, including Islam and Buddhism. With Western-style clothes becoming more prevalent daily and traditional dress used on special occasions, the nation has experienced a tremendous cultural shift.
Political Changes:
Before becoming a Kingdom in 1968, the Maldives was a Portuguese colony from 1558 until 1573. Significant political developments have occurred in the nation, including upheaval in the streets and power battles in the executive branch. The present administration has been fired for inadequately enforcing environmental protection rules controlling development projects.
In conclusion, the Maldives has seen substantial transformation that favorably and poorly impacts its people. While economic expansion has raised living standards, environmental problems and cultural shifts have affected Maldivians’ quality of life. The nation has also been damaged by political disagreements, with the present administration coming under fire for not effectively addressing environmental issues.
Society and Politics
The Maldives’ politics and society have changed significantly over time. Here are some crucial details:
Social Structure:
Up to the 1920s, there existed a caste system in the Maldives.
In the early 1990s, modernization initiatives helped the Maldives become increasingly homogenous.
The community is tightly connected and orderly due to the same language and religion (Sunni Islam).
Political System:
A democratic republic with a presidential system governs the Maldives.
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the Jumhooree Party (JP), and the Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) make up the current ruling coalition.
Government enforcement of environmental protection rules guiding development projects has drawn criticism.
New Political Developments:
The impending presidential elections have led to the emergence of new political groups.
The Maldives’ political landscape seems to have changed.
Overall, the political structure of the Maldives is a presidential representative democratic republic. The community is tightly linked and orderly because everyone speaks the same language and practices the same religion (Sunni Islam). Significant political upheavals, such as civil unrest and power conflicts within the administration, have occurred in the Maldives. The MDP, JP, and MRM are all members of the current coalition administration. Government enforcement of environmental protection rules guiding development projects has drawn criticism.
Economy and Environment
The Maldives’ economy and environment are two crucial facets that have changed significantly over time. Here are some essential details:
Economy:
The Maldives has an upper-middle income and a strong growth outlook.
The Maldives’ primary source of economic development and the economy’s key pillar is tourism.
The fast development of the Maldives’ tourist and fishing industries has helped the nation swiftly transition into a middle-income status.
Despite economic expansion, the nation nevertheless faces a widening budget imbalance.
Environment:
The Maldives are the nation in South Asia most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
By the end of this century, climate change may result in yearly economic losses of more than 12% of gross domestic product (GDP).
Sea level rise and climate change have caused soil erosion, beach erosion, saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources, and loss of beaches.
Due to the substantial increase in the price of commodities globally, the Maldives is subject to severe external and inflationary pressures.
Tourism, the primary factor in the Maldives’ economic development, is significant. Undoubtedly, the nation has swiftly moved into the middle-income bracket due to the explosive expansion of the tourist and fishing industries. However, the government continues to deal with a mounting budget imbalance notwithstanding economic development.
Tourism
Tourism is the Maldives’ primary economic driver, providing over half of the country’s export revenue and maintaining over 25,000 tertiary sector employment.
Divers and sunbathers alike will find bliss in the Maldives. One island is one resort in the Maldives, meaning one hotel occupies one island.
People of the Maldives- Conclusion
The beautiful island nation of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean relies heavily on the tourist industry.
Numerous Maldivians may find work thanks to tourism, which substantially impacts the nation’s GDP.
