Maldivian Tradition (Folklore)
[grabbed from (https://www.accu.or.jp/ich/en/pdf/1998_Tokyo.pdf)]
Ms. Habeeba Hussain Habeeb
Member of the National Council for Linguistic and Historical Research
Director General of National Library
People have inhabited thousands of scattered islands, now known as Maldives for several thousand of years. Here as in other places of the world, extensive cultural tradition has developed. These expressions emphasized the human and personal experience of island life.
As written accounts prior to fourteenth century have largely disappeared much has been overtime. However, remnants of past tradition has been preserved in various forms that are into our present life. several forms of this traditional culture are evolved into new patterns. these forms consist of:
1. Traditional dancing
2. Traditional singing (group singing)
3. Traditional sports of men
4. Traditional sports of women
5. Special traditional items, which could be brought under the headings of traditional programmes restricted as inaugural programmes of national events
Brief Sketch of Traditional dancing: Boli Malafai Neshun (or the dance with the sea
shell container)
Traditional dances developed spontaneously, and the islands as a communal expression of island life. Contrary to mane other cultures these dances are performed by men or women, not both together. World famous historians, travelers and writers, who visited Maldives during sixteen century and earlier have described maldivian women as active fun loving and keen on traditional games. The culture has been moulded by them and they have introduced many creative games and tantalizing musical programmes, which included traditional folk dancing and folk songs. One such musical tradition and culture musical item is called “Boli Malafi Neshun” or “the dance with the sea shell container.” It is a beautiful and colouful dance.
The women wear rich and colouful traditional garment of Maldives. This dance was introduces to Maldivan society in the late years of the eighteenth century. That was the Golden of Maldivian culture.”
Boli Malafai dance, was a ceremonial cultural event, which was organized by prominent women of Male and Atolls on the occasion of Royal Marriages, Royal childbirth.
Present situation, problem and future subjects on the preservation and promotion of traditional/folk performing arts
a) The Ministry of Information, Arts and Culture has the mandate of preserving and promoting traditional/folk performing arts. Various folk dance and song items are performed on special occasions. Drama and Theatre are more limited in that there are no professional personnel in the field. There is a government organisation called Maldives Association of Performing Arts (MAPA) which regularly conducts traditional song and music items to mark national and religious festivals. This organisation functions under the Ministry of Information, Arts and Culture. There are private groups such as the “Harubee Association”, also Ward Committees and Atoll Committees that organise traditional cultural shows. We are trying to establish an archives and for that funding is very essential. Also we need professional help.
The problems of preserving and promoting traditional/folk performing arts are numerous. Firstly there is a lack of properly qualified and trained personnels in these fields, financial constraints, and difficulty of arousing interest among the youth.
b) “Bodu Beru” which involves drumming, dancing, and singing is an extremely popular art form. With the expansion in the tourism industry, Bodu Beru shows are regularly held to entertain the tourists. It is also held during special occasions. It is well-loved by all Maldivians. Every inhabited island has its own “Budu Beru” group. The “Harubee Association” which was formed very recently is concerned with the task of preserving and promoting traditional performing arts.
With the inception of the National Archives the work of documenting traditional and cultural activities will be facilitated. The most important aspect of promoting and preserving traditional performing arts is to arouse public interest and awareness of the nation’s cultural heritage.
c) No legislations are yet formed to safeguard, copy rights and originality.
d) A folklore archives has to be established for future to preserve, promote as the technical instrumental need in modern technology, and to safeguard these valuable things.
BODU RERU
Bodu Beruis a very popular musical item in Maldives. Bodu Beru meaning Big Drum, this musical item which is derived from Somalian musical programme does dull justice to its name. I know we all have hared the big drum and other drums, which includes this show. But for people who have not heard, I would like to present Bodu Beru, in its full meaning. Sultan Mueenuddinwho was reigning Maldives from ... to... liberated some Negro slaves and send them to near by Atoll. Some were sent to Ari Atoll Feridhooand some to ... These few negroes started few musical items as they were bored. They started a singing and dancing programme with there owns songs and beat. They made big drums and average size drums thus forms a music party. There many different items and average size drums thus forms a music party. There were many different items but all had African rhythm and beat.
Bodu Beruis one of such items. People of Ari Atoll, Specially people of Feridhoo liked it. It matched the seafaring Maldivian and they started joining this Negro Arab group. It did not take long for the Maldivians to modify the Negroid items to suit their culture and thus Bodu Beru became a Maldivian Cultural musical item. Something which started in seventeenth century as mean of entertainment for bored and lonely Negroes, become a very favourite cultural heritage of Maldives.
Bodu Beru stayed with us from the year of Sultan MueenuDheen the first to this day though modified to a great extent. Originally the songs were composed in Nigroid Arabic dialect. Some songs were in Arabic dialect only. Later from time to time the song changed to urdu, and to Maldivian or Dhivehi Languages. But even now the dance and the drum beating still remind us of the Negroid Culture. The songs and gestures represent praise to the National Heroes, tales of romance and on occasion satire. The beat is always quick, the tempo quickens regularly insinity increases and with the song and the dance which matches the tempo, spectators become as exited as the dancers themselves. Some of the get up from their seat and join the dancers. The modified Bodu Beruof 17th century is a group variety item of men. There is no fixed number or a rule to join this programme. Usually it is organised in sitting rooms spacie places. The drummer and singing party sit on a comfortable mat, or carpet etc. all are dressed casually. Nowadays there were the present attire of men; Jeans and T-shirts. Previously they wear Mundu, (a sarong) Maldivian men's grab - the white shirt like libaas. They should have a fairly big drums, and many other drums. Usually three drums are sufficient. The drumnist starts beating the big drum on a slowly temp, the people who are fixed for start singing the songs. As I have said earlier, in the beginning the wording of the songs were in Arabic dialects. Some had Somalian dialect. But the Modified songs are in Urdu and Dhivehi language. As the beat of the quickens, the singers and dancers also quicken their tempo and rhythm still remains of Negroid. Two people start dancing. In earlier days these two dancers carry big handkerchiefs and they hold it to its corners, matching it look like a triangle. The singers also use instruments called Mandhiraand bamboo cylinders which is an Indian musical instrument. There are different tempos and they are named as “Fas Dhandivalhu”, Bodu Berustarts with this tempo. It is a slow beat and a slow tempo. Then the next one is “Medhu Lava”the middle song. Then third one is “Avas Lava”a quick song. The tempo quickens and it finishes with many people dancing and with a loud crescendo.
Maldivians enjoy Bodu Beruon happy occasions. Be it a welcoming programme, organised for and official inauguration, or on a stage show, even in Tourist Island you can hear and see, and dance with Bodu Beru. We bring Bodu Beruparties to our homes too, on occasions like the circumcision occasions of boys and on the seventh day of childbirth.
