MEEDHOO, Addu Atoll

Culture

As Islam is the national religion and all Maldivians are Sunni Muslims, Meedhoo is of no exceptions. And the people of Meedhoo have been a very religious community since the conversion to Islam. Hence, unlike other islands of the country, traditional music and dance are not performed in this island. The people of Meedhoo believed performance of these activities as contrary to Islamic religion. But in the recent past, there developed a contemporary Dhivehi culture with outside influences which is strong and adaptive. Western fashions, pop music and videos are visible in the island, but on public occasions, like the beginning and end of Ramadan, the celebrations always have a distinctly traditional touch. 

Though the people of the island are very religious, ancient beliefs survive: for example, the people of the island fear jinnis - evil spirits which come from the sea, land and sky. These are blamed for everything that cannot be explained by religion or science. 

Most visitors to this island in the past admired the cheerfulness of the men, their prowess as mariners and their acceptance of new ideas and probably strange cultures. They complimented the way the elders, poised and sage; the women beautifully clad and wearing gold embellishments, and the eagerness of the children. Also the visitors complimented the immaculately-maintained streets, the incredible sunsets and the overall beauty of the island. 

The Meedhoo culture is rich with flavors from most of the seafarers who set foot on its soil. Though traditional dresses are not used by present day generation there are many types of traditional dresses made for both sexes. Like the unique geographical formation, the cultural events and ceremonials are unique according to the event that is celebrated or performed. Naming a newborn child, Mauloodhu (a prayer accompanied with festive meal), Eid festival and circumcision of male child are few events that take place where the taste of rich cultural 'cocktail' can be experienced. The people of Meedhoo perform two very specialized Mauloodhus – one specialized for women on the 27^th day of the month of Rajab and the other one for coconut sap tappers on the 26^th day of the month of Rabeeul Awwal. 

A traditional meal called Keyn is prepared for the above Mauloodhus comprising of a number of courses. A single Keyn would serve 10 – 12 people and includes rice, curries, salads, grilled fish, coconut cream, coconut syrup, bananas, puddings and other delights.

Keyn is set out in a very large wooden dish called a Malaafaiy. The outside of this dish is placed within the dish and small individual plates are filled with curries, salads, and other items and set around the rice. This would be covered with the lid and wrapped in a white cloth and tied at the top. At the meal times this would be carried into the Mauloodh Haruge (dining hall specially made for this event) and placed on straw mats for service. Individual plates and other food items in individual dishes are placed as well. Beverages are individually set in glasses. Water is served in a ceramic jug. Food is consumed using the fingers of the right hand. At the end of the meal hand is washed using a copper jug into a copper basin.

Business and Commerce 

Merchants of Meedhoo had, until relatively recently, by-passed Malé and traded directly with ports in India, Ceylon and the East Indies. The affluence of the Addu merchants was always far above than the mercantile classes in Malé. 

In 1941 British forces built a military base in Meedhoo and other parts of Addu Atoll and since then except a short break period, British forces were there in Addu Atoll until 1976. During this period the British were allowed to employ Addu people in their facilities. The income from this and the luxury goods available to the workers brought a huge cultural change and increase of commercial activities. 

The islands of Maldives were said to be in the trading crossroads of several maritime nations, long before European Maritime History began. Many traders and visitors came from Arabia, China and India. The Currency of Africa In the thirteenth century, cowrie-shells were brought to Africa from the Maldives by Arab traders. Meedhoo and other islands of Addu Atoll played a major role in these activities.

Daily Routine 

People are woken up by the call for prayer, Fathis Namaad, before dawn between 4.30 and 5.00 am. After prayer the fishermen get ready for the day, collect baitfish from the nearby reef and start their trip before sunrise. 

Women prepare breakfast, sweep the yards and roads and get the children ready for school. Weavers, carpenters, coconut sap collectors and staff at the island office commence their work. The majority of fishing boats will return before sunset and old people and children gather at the beach to see the day’s catch. If a dhoni brings back more than 1000 fish, a flag is hoisted on the boat.

The fish is then distributed with half to the owner of the boat and half for the crew. The fish is taken cut, cleaned and taken home for cooking.  In the evening many fishermen gather at the captain’s house resting in udholis (= a big wooden swing) and jolis (= traditional chairs made of rope) talking about the day. Women process the fish, prepare dinner and relax.

Children play football or other games, swim in the sea and people gather in houses to watch satellite TV or videos or go for walks round the island.