Maldives Festivals

The rich culture of Maldives is truly visible and experienced during Maldives festivals. A number festivals and special days are celebrated at this island that bring people together and give them reasons to enjoy and have fun with their family and friends. Exchange of gifts and sweets on these festivals make children more excited and thrilled about them. These carnivals also bring children an awareness of their country’s culture as they include different folk dances and traditional music with wooden instruments followed by feasts comprising of their traditional cuisines. All the religious as well as national occasions are celebrated and shared with same enthusiasm and feelings, with people enjoying together without any discrimination.

Ramadan is one the most important religious festivals on the Maldives. The ninth month is celebrated as Ramadan according to Muslim calendar. This festival includes fasting of a month for which even the working hours are altered. Apart from this Prophet’s Birthday, Kuda Id, and Eid-ul Al’h’aa are other important days that are celebrated across the island in full form and with all colors, fun and excitement. On the day of Kuda Id, all men and women start their day with an early visit to mosque to perform prayers after which everyone prepare a feast for their friend and relatives. All schools held events on national days such as Republic Day and National Day and Independence Day and celebrate by organizing competitions and cultural programs. On the Independence Day large number of school children performs traditional folk dances at Republic Square. These national and religious days bring holidays for children and wash the streets with flag colors which depict the patriotism in their hearts.

Maldives vacations should include some time spent enjoying the dance and music which are the major source of enjoyment. These festivals call for drummers, musicians and dancers from all across the country to sing and dance and make these days memorable for everyone. Traditional folk dances and music symbolizes the country’s lively culture and fills heart with rhythm of their tradition. Almost all the events end with a feast. All type traditional and famous cuisines are prepared on these days to make them even more special. Sea food is a specialty of Maldives which becomes even more delicious and tempting during festivals. Foni boakiba (coconut milk and rice pudding), gula (fried fish balls with tuna and coconut), kiru Sarbat (sweet milk drink), and kuli boakiba (spicy fish cakes) are some of the common cuisines of Maldives which are the ‘must eat’ delicacies of each festival and event.

Bandiya Jehun is another way of celebrating festivals in Maldives. It is special way of entertainment in which a group of young Maldivian dances on the tune of metallic water pots, which is accompanied by a song. Raivaru recitation is yet another source of enjoyment, in which a poem is sung in a traditionally slow form.

Festival celebration unites natives and brings them close to their country, family and friends. Tourists can get the taste of true Maldivian culture and tradition during festivals. You can enjoy the best of Maldivian daces, music and food. In short, no Maldives vacation is complete without a taste of the local culture via Maldivian festivals.