Maldives Music
September 13, 2009 by Islandhopper
Filed under Things to do in the Maldives
Maldives is an island, due to which its culture is influenced by many nearby countries. Similarly the music of Maldives also has an influence of many nations such as Southern India, East Africa, Arabia and also Malaysia and Indonesia. This makes Maldivian music an indigenous combination of many cultures which has evolved over years of environmental and social effects. The music of Maldives not only consists of good lyrics and tunes, they also express hopes, love, feelings of its natives and their life style. Folk music is the real picture of Maldivian culture and tradition. Other than traditional music, Maldivian music also includes various forms of international music that has entered the island at different time during history.
The various different forms of dances and music that are enjoyed by Maldivian together to celebrate festivals and special events have helped them to stay united. The music keeps patriotism alive in their hearts. Some of the music and dances that represents its culture and marks its festivals and other events are:
Bodu Beru is the most famous type of Maldivian music, in which participants dance on the beats of drums. Generally, there is a lead singer who is accompanied by a group of 10-15 singers. The dance mainly consists of jerks, leaps and claps.
Bandiya Jehun is the next most popular form of dance and music in Maldives. It is a ‘women only’ form of folk dance in which the dancers carry metal water pots and move to the rhythm and tune of the music. This dance can be performed on both traditional and modern music.
Thaara is another form of Maldivian music which is performed by 22 people in two parallel rows facing each other. It is more of religious dance form where only men participate. Arabs introduced Thaara in the seventeenth century but now it can only be seen on national events.
Dhandijehun is a form of group dance performed only by men in special dresses. The dancers use a prop called ‘Dhandi’ and move to the tunes of the song. Here, dancers strike their sticks with their partner’s stick to dance.
Langiri is a modified form of Tharra. It is mostly enjoyed as an evening dance show where young men dances on the rhythm of music. This dance form also uses sticks which are clapped in different pattern with neighboring dancers. There is also a main singer who recites the lyrics and it usually lasts for six to seven songs.
Other form of Maldives music and dance includes Bolimalaafath neshun, Gaa Odi Lava, Maafathi neshun, Kulhudhuffushi and Fathigandu Jehun. All these forms of music and dance show the rich culture of Maldives. Each form of music has its own importance and origin in history. Some of them have slightly modified with time and have adapted to modern music. Tourists who are music and dance lovers must attend the cultural shows at Maldives. This will give you the flavor of real folk dances and traditional music which is influenced by a number of countries.