Many of you have made the Maldives, and Meeru Island Resort & Spa, your second home, returning year after year to enjoy this beautiful tropical paradise. You know and have experienced first-hand the beauty of the Maldives: the warm weather, powder-soft, white beaches and startlingly clear turquoise waters. Now, we wish to share a little more about the Maldivian culture and heritage.
Let’s start with the language! Maldivians speak Dhivehi, which has Sanskrit, Sinhalese and Arabic influences. Here are some common phrases that you can add to your vocabulary:
Hello: “assalaamu alaikum” is a more formal greeting while “maruhabaa” is informal.
Thank you: “shukuriyyaa.”
You’re welcome: “maruhabaa.”
The Meeru Museum
The Maldives islands are believed to have been inhabited for the last 3,000 years. The first settlers were from southern India and Sri Lanka as well as from Arab and African countries. Tourism began in 1970 and slowly started developing. Our Meeru Museum exhibits several Maldivian artefacts, from traditional wooden boxes which were used as travel storage (lakudi foshi) to wooden Maldivian sandals which were worn until the early 1980s (ujjehi maravalhhi). Drop by the Museum anytime for a glimpse into the fascinating history of the Maldives.
Maldivian food can best be described as spicy and from the sea. The food is heavily reliant on naturally available food sources such as coconuts, tuna and reef fish. The initial settlers passed on their usage of curries and spices, and to this day, Maldivian food is heavily influenced by that. Every Friday is Maldivian night in Meeru. In our buffet restaurants, you can enjoy various delicacies from Garudhiya (fish soup) and Huni Roshi (coconut-based flatbread).
Maldivian Cultural Show: Bodu Beru Performance.
Music and dance is an integral part of Maldivian Culture. Bodu Beru refers to the traditional drums and the cultural dance that is performed to the sound of these drums. The dance performance is a form of storytelling and entertainment and varies depending on the occasion. After a sumptuous Maldivian Night dinner on Fridays, we have a Maldivian Culture & History Presentation, followed by a Bodu Beru Performance at Kakuni Bar. Join us and be sure to bring your dancing shoes.
Maldivian Cultural Show: Bodu Beru Performance.
We look forward to welcoming you to experience the wonder of Meeru and the Maldives!