Holiday Vacation Trips Asia - Maldives Destination
Maldives Language and Culture

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The Islamic Centre, housing the mosque Masjid-al-Sultan Mohammed Thakurufaanu-al-A'z'am

Maldivian culture is derived from a number of sources, the most important of which are its proximity to the shores of Sri Lanka and southern India. The official and common language is Dhivehi, an Indo-European language having some similarities with Elu, the ancient Sinhalese language. The first known script use to write Dhivehi is Eveyla akuru script which is found in historical recording of kings. Later a script called Dhives akuru was introduced and used for a long period. The present-day written script is called Thaana and is written from right to left. Thaana is said to be introduced by the reign of Mohamed Thakurufaanu. English is used widely in commerce and increasingly as the medium of instruction in government schools.

The language is of Indic Sanskritic origin, which points at a later influence from the north of the subcontinent. According to the legends, the kingly dynasty that ruled the country in the past has its origin there.

Possibly these ancient kings brought Buddhism from the subcontinent, but the Maldivian legends don't make it clear. In Sri Lanka there are similar legends, however it is improbable that the ancient Maldive royals and Buddhism came both from that island because none of the Sri Lankan chronicles mentions the Maldives. It is unlikely that the ancient chronicles of Sri Lanka would have failed to mention the Maldives if a branch of its kingdom had extended itself to the Maldive Islands.

After the long Buddhist period of Maldivian history, Muslim traders introduced Sunni Islam. Maldivians converted to it by the mid-12th century. However certain potions of Sufism can be seen in the history of the country such as the building of mausoleums. These mausolems were used until as recent as 1980s, for seeking the help from the dead Saints. They can been seen today, next to some old mosques of the Maldives and are considered today as, Cultural heritages. Other aspects of Sufism such as ritualized dhikr ceremonies called Maulūdu, the liturgy of which included recitations and certain supplications in a melodical tone existed until very recent times. These Maulūdu festivals were held in ornate tents specially built for the occasion. However at present Sunni Islam is the official religion of the entire population, as adherence to it is required for citizenship.

Since the 12th century AD there are also influences from Arabia in the language and culture of the Maldives because of the general conversion to Islam in the 12th century, and its location as a crossroads in the central Indian Ocean.

Popular Maldives Resort Hotels
Hulhule Island Hotel, Kai Logde, Kam Hotel, Mookai Hotel & Apartment, Relax Inn

Captivating Maldives Resort Hotel & Beach Resorts
Alimatha Aquatic Resort, Angaga Island Resort, Angsana Resort & Spa, Ari Beach Resort, Asdu Sun Island Athurugau Island Resort, Avi Island Resort, Bandos Island Resort, Banyan Tree Resort, Bathala Island Resort, Biyadoo Island Resort, Bodulhithi Coral Isle, Bolifushi Island, Club Med Farukolhufushi, Coco Palm Resort, Cocoa Island Resort, Dhigufinolhu Island Resort, Ellaidhoo Resort, Equator Village Resort, Eriyadu Island Resort, Fesdu Fun Island, Fihalohi Tourist Resort, Fullmoon Beach Resort, Fun Island Resort, Giraavaru Island Resort, Halaveli Holiday Village, Holiday Island Resort, Kandooma Tourist Resort, Kuramathi Village Resort, Lohifushi Island Resort, Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort, Thulhagiri Resort, Velavaru Tourist Resort, Vilamendhoo Island Resort

Maldives Beach Resorts with Water Bungalows
Ari Beach Resort, Baros Holiday Resort, Dhiggiri Tourist Resort, Kuramanthi Blue Lagoon Resort, Embudhu Resort, Fihalhohi Tourist Resort, Gangehi Island Resort, Hilton Maldives Resort on Rangali Island, Kuramathi Cottage Club, Kuredu Resort, Laguna Beach Resort, Lily Beach Resort, Meeru Island Resort, Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort, Paradize Island Resort, Reethi Beach Resort, Royal Island Resort, Soneva Fushi Resort, Soneva Gili Resort & Spa, Sun Island Resort, Veligandu Island Resort, Vilu Reef Beach & Spa Resort

Maldives Family Villas / Rooms
Asdu Sun Island, Dhigufinolhu Island Resort, Embudhu Finolhu Island, Filitheyo Resort, One & Only Kanuhura Island Resort, Medhufushi Resort

Maldives Beach Front Bungalows
Helengeli Tourist Village

Hotels & Beach Resorts in Maldives, Asia
Addoo Atoll (Seenu) Beach Resorts, Alifu Atoll (Ari Atoll) Beach Resorts, Faadhippolhu Atoll (Lhaviyani) Beach Resorts, Mulaku Atoll (Meemu) Beach Resorts, North Ari Atoll (Alifu) Beach Resorts, North Male Atoll (Kaafu) Beach Resorts, North Nilandhoo Atoll (Faafu) Beach Resorts, South Ari Atoll (Alifu) Beach Resorts, South Maalhosmadulu Atoll (Baa) Beach Resorts, South Male Atoll (Kaafu) Beach Resorts, South Nilandhoo Atoll (Dhaalu) Beach Resorts, Vaavu Atoll (Felidhoo Atoll) Beach Resorts

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