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CRAFT WORKS OF MALDIVES
LIYELAA JEHUN
Lacquer work, or liyelaa jehun as locally known, is one of the most distinctive forms of handicraft. In simple terms, a piece of wood is sculpted into the desired shape and then coated with layers of different colors of lacquer. Once the lacquer coating is finished, it is polished with dry leaves. And intricate patterns are engraved on the item with simple tools, without any premade drawings. They can be seen on many wooden objects and in Coral Stone Mosques of the Maldives; six of which on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List are also adorned with lacquered works that contribute to their outstanding universal value.
Lacquer work can be seen in almost all types of handicraft in the Maldives. Since ancient times, it has been used to decorate building interiors and showcase the artistic abilities of Maldivian craftsmen. It is mostly practiced on wood as it acts as a coating to prevent the wood from weathering and maintain the quality of wood.
Records show that the Chinese were the first to manufacture and trade lacquer. Lacquer work may have been brought to Maldives during the period when trade between China, Japan, and the rest of South Asia flourished. This helped to establish one of the most important cultural traditions of artistry in the Maldives.
The craftsmen stick a piece of lacquer on a stick and heat over a fire to melt it. It is then separated into the size required before it cools down. Coloring pigments are added when the lacquer cools down enough so that it can be pulled into thread like pieces. Traditionally, the craftsmen used three different pigments to color the artifacts in yellow, red, or black. A Maldivian herbal medicine called fashurisseyo was used for yellow and a substance called uguli was used to make red color. The lightness or darkness of the colors depends on the ratio of lacquer to coloring pigment. Black pigments are created by heating a piece of ceramic tile with an oil lantern and collecting the black tar off the tile. Gold and silver dust were also used to add a more exquisite look to the design. Recently, some craftsmen have opted to use oil colors as there is more variety of colors, and they are readily available. When the color has been added, the lacquer is cut into to the shape and size that is best for application.
A stand called dhigu haru or bomakan’dhu haru is used to spin the sculpted piece of wood. The colored strips of lacquer that were prepared earlier are slowly applied on the wood as it spins. This helps to evenly apply lacquer around the object. Layers of lacquer are applied on top of each other depending on the type of design the craftsmen want to create. After the lacquer is applied, the artist carves intricate floral designs into the lacquer work. Since the design is engraved on the topmost layer, it reveals the layer beneath creating an aesthetically pleasing look. Maldivian craftsmen have applied lacquer onto objects of varying shapes and sizes. After the lacquer is added it is buffed with either dried banana leaves or coconut palm leaves to give it a more polished look.
Another form of lacquer work known as laa fenkurun is the traditional process of applying heated lacquer over a surface, dyeing it in natural colors, and giving it a protective layer of glossy shine, a delicate art practiced on the ornamental wooden beams and columns in Maldivian mosques. Lacquer is cooked in water along with another substance called rankaru. This broth is left to boil until all the water evaporates, and the remaining mixture is left in the sun for three days, and then this water mixture is poured onto the piece of design work.
Lacquer crafts used to be a thriving industry. However, there are very few craftsmen, and even fewer who can do it with equipment that was used traditionally. With the blooming tourism industry, there is added demand for lacquered products. Some craftsmen prefer using modern equipment as it is easier and requires less work. The country has also faced the issue of bootleg products being imported from abroad by souvenir shops, but overall, the tourism industry has helped to keep this art alive in the communities most known for it. The people on the island of Thulhaadhoo in Baa atoll are renowned for their skills in working with lacquer.
Maldives Culture and Lifestyle
I am a local born and bred in the Maldives. Once I was searching online for the information of local culture in the Maldives and was not satisfied with the existing articles. The topic is very general but today I decided start writing about the Maldivian culture. I am not intending to complete this article in one go, rather to divide it into components and update the post as I get time. Currently I am on a very busy schedule at office but I am curious enough to spare some time to kick off this topic.
Tuna Fishing
Being a sea based country the people of Maldives are heavily dependent on fish and tuna is their favourite. Skipper of the fishing boat wakes up early morning and visits fellow crew members waking them up. Every fisherman would bring a tortilla prepared by the housewife, either sweet or spicy. Fishing boat would first travel to a reef to catch live bait fish with a net and before sunrise they would sail to the open waters looking for hungry schools of tuna. People would stare at horizon to spot sea birds which indicate presence of fish. In the ancient days the boats were powered only by sail, so it took hours to reach a good spot but fisherman never gave up in any climate. Their bodies were tough and strong.
Every fish is caught by pole and line, the environmentally friendly fishing which is still the practice in Maldives. After spending the whole morning and the fisherman would return to the island in late afternoon. The islanders would gather at the beach to welcome fishing boats and people enjoy seeing the catch. The fisherman would clean the fish at beach, take them to their houses and cut for the dish. Once that is done the part of fisherman is over and rest is taken care by the housewife who cooks and serves a hot meal to the husband and children. After dinner the fisherman would pray and take rest, visit friends before going to bed to start the next day at fishing.
The holy month of Ramazan
Maldives is a sunni muslim country and holy month of Ramazan is observed every year. It is now a few weeks before the Ramazan this year. I can see in many islands the locals are getting ready to welcome the season. Middle income level people are renewing the home furniture. Less fortunate people would deep clean the house, kitchen and furniture. In the ancient days the kitchens had wooden racks to smoke tuna which turns black with smoke. Every year this rack gets a deep cleaning and that happens for Ramazan. In this season people are also buying new kitchen and tableware. The Ramazan culture also varies at different islands. Some islands would prepare the spices way on advance, the women would gather at one place and perform like a show.
In Ramazan the people would take their dinner few hours before dusk and fasts till sunset. There is no meal in between. After tolerating hours without food or drinks the breakfast becomes a happy time. There are many varieties and tasteful dishes as much as people can afford. There would be at least one type of fresh juice, the most common is water melon. Demand for water melon goes several folds in this season. The island of Thoddoo is known to make good business during this season, they mass produce water melons and distributes all over the country. Along with water melon there would be curries and snacks that varies at different days. At the time of breakfast the men gets priority on the feast, ladies do the cooking and they join the feast after men. Usually houses are small and dinner table doesn’t have enough space for all households. People breaks fasting with date fruit followed by fresh juice. Not all would have a full breakfast right away. The more religious ones take dates and juice then go mosque for prayers. Upon return from prayers they would have the joy of a full meal.
Traditional Education System
The traditional education system was mostly about literacy and religious study. In 1980s there were schools in Maldives, prior to that was the culture of teaching at home. Kids would attend houses of educated people and they would give lessons free of charge. At home the mother usually gave home tuition. A thin wooden box filled with sand was used to draw in letters of alphabet to practice at home, both local language Dhivehi and Arabic. It was not the age of pen and paper. The students used wooden board kept on the lap to write down.
Finding New Friends And Welcoming Strangers
In the ancient times there were no hotels and lodging for visitors coming from other islands. People would stay with friends while on another island. But not all would have friends in each of the several islands. Bad weather conditions sometimes force fishermen and other travelers to anchor at other islands. That is when you need help. If you don’t have any then you would wait at the beach side or on the boat. Locals would notice the unfamiliar boat, notice movements of the people. If the residents realize that the boat got no one from who have local friends, someone would eventually go and check on their conditions. They befriend each other and offer stay and provide other means of help. That was how people from different islands got to know each other and made friends in the ancient culture of the Maldives. But, the modern lifestyle is now different. There are hotels and guesthouses in most of the islands, or at least rooms for rent. You pay and obtain whatever service you may want and you leave. Next day you would not know each other. Today you meet strangers and befriend on Facebook. Life and culture has changed much.
Maldivian Foods
Ever wonder how would Maldivian food taste like? The most popular Maldivian dish called “Garudhiya Baiy” means fish soup with rice. The traditional dish includes a bowl of tuna soup, fish, white rice, fresh sliced onion, fresh chili, Maldivian chili paste, sliced lime and sometimes with grilled fish. Just pour little bit of soup on the white rice, mix with fish and other accompaniments and enjoy the meal. Maldivians food is mostly spicy and often includes fish as it is comes fresh comes the sea.
Maldivian chicken curry is a very popular food. Live chicken is very expensive in Maldives. The locals usually slaughter live chicken on festivals and this is the season of chicken curry.
For a dessert, “Bondibaiy” means sweet rice pudding which often goes with chili fish or chili chicken, sometimes with chili lamb on festivals. This dessert is very typical and not recommended for tourists. But, Garudhiya Baiy and Maldivian chicken curry are found to be very popular among tourists and many resorts have this on the menu.
Maldivian Traditional dresses
The traditional Maldivian dress, or the Dhivehi libaas, displays one of Maldives’ most unique embroidery techniques – that of Kasabu viyun. Kasabu viyun requires silver and gold lace, hand weaved into the neckline of the Dhivehi libaas.
Very few craftspeople currently practice Kasabu work – it is therefore very rare and very hard to buy.
Modern embroidery mostly adorns the Dhiguhedhun, the Maldivian national dress. While thread and needlework were before done by hand, sewing machines are now used widely – however, the more intricate of the work is still done by hand.
The traditional costumes of Maldives are pretty simple. Men wear sarongs (a length of clothing wrapped around the waist) with a long-sleeved shirt, which is regularly white. Cotton is the selected fabric due to the island’s tropical weather. The traditional dress for women named libaas. The costume, which resembles a dress, is naturally worn during special occasions, festivals and during dance performances. They are usually decorated with gold or silver-colored threads, and the best ones are hand stitched. In addition to looking nice, the costumes make brilliant souvenirs.
Culture Maldives 