Fairs & Festivals :-
The Maldives, known for its idyllic beaches, blue lagoons, and colourful reefs, is at the top of the list when it comes to idyllic island getaways. Add in a rich cultural heritage steeped in Islamic faith and national pride, and you've got yourself a vacation spot with plenty of festivals, national holidays, and traditional activities to enjoy!
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Ramadan: Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic or Lunar calendar, when Muslims observe 30 days of fasting, prayer, contemplation, and charity. The last third of Ramadan is thought to be even more auspicious because it is when the Prophet Muhammad is said to have received the first verses of the Koran (Quran). This is one of the best times to visit the Maldives because you can sample a variety of cultural dishes that are only available during the festival. Many restaurants have Iftar (evening meal for breaking the fast) specials on their menus. Ramadan juices in exotic flavours like rose, apricot, and kamardine are available. Cultural events such as music band performances and belly dancing are also part of the event.
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The National Day: The first day of Rabee-ul Awwal, which falls in the third month of the Islamic calendar, is observed as National Day. Parades and marches will take place throughout the Maldives sometime in February or March.
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Independence Day: Independence Day is a huge deal in the Maldives, and it's celebrated every year on July 26th. It commemorates the day in 1965 when the nation declared independence from the United Kingdom. Expect street dancing, music, and drinking, as well as colourful parades and ecstatic Maldivians in a celebratory mood. Check out Republican Square in Malé after sunset, where the party really gets going.
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Eid-ul Fitr: The end of Ramadan is marked by Eid-ul Fitr, also known as Kuda Eid, which falls on the first day of Shawaal (the tenth month) in the Islamic calendar. In Islam, Eid-ul Fitr is a cardinal festival that is celebrated with zeal in the Maldives. Kuda Eid applauds the appearance of the new moon. Making a charitable contribution (fitr zakaath) to the poor and disadvantaged is a significant activity during this Eid. The celebration begins with a morning prayer at the mosque, accompanied by participation in a sermon. Following that, the people go to see their friends and relatives and share a meal.
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Republic Day: Republic Day, while not as significant as Independence Day, is still a nationally celebrated event. In 1968, the Maldives became a republic for the second time on November 11. Male is the epicentre of the festivities, with parades taking place in the city's streets and parks. Other cities and islands put on a strong display as well.
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Prophet’s Birthday: This lively carnival provides interesting insights into the locals' Islamic faith and religious fervour. It commemorates the birth of the Islamic faith's founder, Prophet Muhammad. The scene is set by huge processions through Malé's streets and beautifully decorated mosques. In honour of the Prophet, scholars and poets recite popular sufi poems. In addition, food and money are offered to charity.
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Eid-ul Adha: Eid-ul-Adha is observed on the tenth day of the Islamic calendar's 12th and final month, Zul-Hajj or Zil-Hajj. The festival, also known as Eid al Adha, is celebrated as a sacrifice feast. This is a time to commemorate Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his beloved son Ishmael to Allah. The animal sacrifice offered to Allah is a significant tradition associated with this festival.
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Whale-Shark Festival: This annual festival, held in August, honours the island's amazing marine life as well as the islanders' sacred relationship with the sea. Marine biologists, conservationists, artists, schools, and members of the local community meet to tell traditional tales, share experiences, and make beautiful artisanal crafts.
Cuisine :-
The Maldives archipelago is not only home to a plethora of magical tropical islands fringed by white sand beaches, swaying tropical palms, and surrounded by gin-clear waters teeming with marine life, but it also serves up some of the region's most delectable cuisine. Traditional Maldivian cuisine, also known as Dhivehi cuisine, offers a wide range of tastes and flavours, from crunchy snacks and street foods to complex and deliciously spicy curries served with wood-fired chapati bread. The Maldives' cuisine is based on seafood, with tuna fish, coconut, curry leaves, and lime being some of the most popular ingredients. Masroshi, Gulha, and Bis Keemiya are Maldivian foods made of flour dough with a filling of fish, onions, chillies, and coconut that is either toasted or fried.
Since agriculture is nearly impossible in the Maldives, fish, which is plentiful, is a staple. Soups and curries made with fish are common, and meat and chicken are served only on special occasions. Vegetables are rarely used in traditional Maldivian dishes, and the majority of the food served in Maldives resorts is imported.
The key highlights of the Maldivian table are tuna and tuna-based dishes. Skipjack tuna, tuna frigate, and yellowfin tuna meat are particularly common. Wahoo, Mahi-Mahi, and big-eyed scad are also common seafood choices. In the hot Maldivian sun, fish is fried, boiled, grilled, smoked, dried, frozen, and dried. Maldivian fish - available as a fillet or in small portions for seasoning other dishes. Fish meat is sometimes used as a filling in local pies. Only on major holidays or in the preparation of special dishes is chicken included.
Mas huni is a popular tuna salad with coconut that is usually served with chapati bread for breakfast. Tuna, coconut, chilli, and onion are combined, seasoned, and served with chapati bread in this fresh, spicy dish.
Fried yams are tasty crunchy snacks made from frying yams, which are similar to sweet potatoes. This is a popular Maldivian dish that can be served with a variety of sauces and beverages. Yams have a much sweeter flavour and are more starchy. Many people use these as a replacement for french fries because they are richer in fibre and vitamins than potatoes.
Garudhiya is a fragrant fish soup made primarily with fish, water, and salt. Lime, corn, chilli, and onions are served alongside.
In Maldivian cuisine, rice is boiled or fried, and tubers are also used. Bread made from taro, sweet potatoes, and tapioca is fried and eaten. Pandanas, bananas, mangoes, and papayas are some of the local fruits.
Maldivians have been eating kulhi boakiba, or fish cakes, for thousands of years, particularly during festivals and feasts. The fish cake, which is made with smoked tuna, grated coconut, chopped chilli peppers, ginger, and rice, is also served as a snack during evening tea.
Masroshi is a smoked tuna and coconut stuffed chapati. You'll go mmmmm! with the added flavour of curry leaves and spices.
The Maldives' national drink is tea, which is served with plenty of milk and sugar. Coffee was readily available, mostly Arabic, but it was costly, as it is with all imported goods. Fruit juices, local sweet milk, sweet palm juice,'sudja' drink, and low alcohol punch 'gaa' made from fermented palm milk are all excellent choices when the weather is hot.
Handulu Bondibai (sweetened sticky rice) is a unique dessert made for extra special occasions such as a child's birth. This sweetened sticky rice dish is distributed to all households on the islands and served with ‘kulhimas' or ‘bondibai' (breadfruit, sago, or rice parcels).
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