ABOUT MALDIVES

Facts - The Maldives - History - Geography - People - Island life - Language - Weather - National Symbols
Festivals and ceremonies - Handicrafts - Dhonis - Fishing - Male' the Capital

Daily Routine
People are woken up by the call for the dawn prayer, Fathis Namaadu, before dawn between 4.30 and 5.00 am. After the prayer fishermen get ready for the day, collect baitfish from the nearby reef and start their trip before sunrise.

Women prepare breakfast, sweep the yards and roads and get the children ready for school. Weavers, carpenters, toddy (juice from coconut saps) collectors and staff at the offices in the island commence their work.

The majority of fishing boats, mas dhonis, will return before sunset and old people and will children gather at the beach to see the day’s catch. If a dhoni brings back more than 1,000 fish, a flag is hoisted on the boat. One half of the catch goes to the owner of the boat and the other half is distributed among the dhoni crew. The fish is then gutted and taken home for cooking.

In the evening many fishermen gather at the captain’s house resting in udholis (a big wooden swing) and jolis (traditional chairs made of rope) and talk about the activities of the day.

Women process the fish, prepare dinner and relax while smoking a gudugudaa (hookah)
Children play football or other games, swim in the sea and people gather in houses to watch public TV or video films or go for walks round the island.

Island Administration
The 26 geographical atolls in the Maldives are divided into 20 administrative regions. These administrative atolls may consist of more than one or half of a geographical atoll depending on the size of the atoll. The letters of the Dhivehi alphabet are used to name these administrative atolls.
A katheeb or the Island Chief is in charge of the day to day affairs of the island and its development. The katheeb reports to the Atoll Chief or atholhuverin who is in charge of the overall administration of all the islands in an atoll.

The Atoll Chief resides in the capital island of each atoll. The State President appoints both the atoll chiefs and the island chiefs.

ABOUT MALDIVES

Facts - The Maldives - History - Geography - People - Island life - Language - Weather - National Symbols
Festivals and ceremonies - Handicrafts - Dhonis - Fishing

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