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The beautifully carved tombstones
in some of the old cemeteries and the fine stone carving of the
Hukuru Miskiy in Male' bear witness to the intricate skills of
Maldivian stone carvers of the past. Maldivians are deft
craftsmen producing beautifully crafted pieces mostly out of
what is available locally. Although many of the skills are now a
thing of the past several skills have been passed on from
generation to generation and lives on even today.
The art of calligraphy has strong connections with Islam. Old
and new mosques display beautifully penned versus from the Holy
Quran. The Islamic Centre exhibits some of the finest samples of
the work of modern calligraphers in the country. While many
crafts have become obsolete, others have found new life with the
advent of tourism. The production of ornaments from tortoise
shells and black coral once valued by visitors has now ceased
completely because of the growing awareness among the public on
the need to preserve the environment.
Wooden Lacquer ware
Perhaps the most distinctive of the Maldivian handicrafts,
these are almost exclusively produced in Thulhaadhoo in Baa
Atoll. Liye Laajehun as it is called Dhivehi involves the
process of shaping, and hollowing out pieces of wood to form
beautifully crafted boxes, containers and ornamental objects.
Made from local funa (Alexandrian laurel) which grows abundantly
throughout the country, they come in various shapes and sizes;
small pillboxes, vases of various sizes to round and oval plates
with lids. These elegant pieces are lacquered in strands of red,
black and yellow resin and delicately carved with flowing
flowery patterns.
Mats
Beautiful reed mats are woven throughout the country, the
most famous of which are those that are woven by women of
Gadhdhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. Thundu Kunaa as they are known
in Dhivehi ranges in size from that of a place mat to a full
sized single mattress. The women of Gadhdhoo collect the reeds
called haa from the nearby island of Fioari. They are dried in
the sun and stained with natural dyes, the color varying from
fawn to black. These mats with their intricate, abstract designs
are woven on a handloom according to the imagination and skill
of the weaver. | |
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