CUSTOMS OF THE MALDIVES
There are like two parallel universes in the Maldives: the one that tourists live in after they are whisked away from the airport to their island resorts; and the one that ordinary Maldivians live in in the capital of Malé and the places where local people live, generally out of view of tourists. In the tourist areas, the customs, manners and etiquette of foreigners prevails, just as long the foreigners are not so obnoxious and disrespectful that they offend the Muslim staff at the hotels and resorts. Outside the tourist areas, where foreigners are in contact with locals in their communities, foreigners have to abide by — or least be aware of and respect– the customs, manners and etiquette of the local Maldivians. [Source: “The Traveler's Guide to Asian Customs & Manners” by Elizabeth Devine and Nancy L. Braganti]
The customs and social behavior of the Maldivians have been greatly influenced by the Indians, Sri Lankans, Arabs and North Africans who visited the Maldives while traversing through the trading routes of the central Indian Ocean. The Maldivian culture is rich and vibrant due to the infusion of various other cultural elements. [Source: Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation visitmaldives.com ]
Malé, the capital of the Maldives, has — or had — a curfew that begins around 10:00 pm. Make sure you are wherever you need by that time. Many businesses outside the tourist world operate on the Islamic week, with a Friday-Saturday weekend and a work week that runs from Sunday to Thursday. Friday afternoon prayers is a time when people gather and socialize. Many businesses also closed for 10 to 15 minutes five times a day during the Islamic prayer times. Many tour companies and dive shop are best contacted in the evening. During the day the owners are out on trips.
Maldivians are brought up to respect elders and those who are educated while conforming to an Islamic code of conduct. Strong loyalties tie the individual to the extended family. According to Lonely Planet: “Maldivians are very polite people and can often be quite shy if you meet them outside resorts. While used to foreigners and their behaviour, there are a few things that they'll appreciate. Remember how conservative the islands are outside resorts. Men should not walk around bare chested and women should wear long skirts and avoid low-cut tops. [Source: Lonely Planet]
Greetings in the Maldives
Shaking hands is the most common form of greeting. Men often shake hands when meeting. Local women do not generally shake hands. Traditionally whenever guests visit a local island, the islanders will welcome them with a fresh coconut drink. This tradition has been continued in the tourism world. Resort guest are often welcomed with a beautifully decorated coconut drink when they arrive. [Source: Lonely Planet; Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation visitmaldives.com ]
When Muslims greet each other, instead of saying, “good morning” or “hello” they say “As-salaam alaykum," which means “May peace be upon you and may God's blessings be with you." This greeting makes a Muslim aware that he has to spread love and peace wherever he goes. [Source: Imam Shamshad A. Nasir cyborlink.com]
Local women generally don't shake hands with strangers. If you are unsure what to do when you meet a local Muslim woman let her make the first move. In some places, good male friends often greet each other by reaching out and shaking hands with both hands, with the right hand placed on top. Sometimes they gently massage each other's hand, or follow the handshake by placing one hand's near one's heart.
Maldivians are generally warm and friendly people, albeit sometimes a little shy. Professors and doctors are usually referred to by their title. Haj (masculine) are Haja (feminine) the titles given to people who have completed the pilgrimage to Mecca. Westerners should not use this title. With the Maldivian language, class distinction has traditionally been expressed through three levels: 1) the maaiy bas, the highest level, formerly used to address members of the royal family, now commonly used to show respect; 2) reethi bas, the second level; and 3) aadhaige, the third level. People use reethi bas and aadhaige bas in everyday life [Source: Wikipedia; Middle East and North African Customs and Manners by Elizabeth Devine and Nancy Braganti (St. Martin's Press)]
Public Customs in the Maldives
In general, the Maldives is home to a conservative, Islamic society and this vibe can be very strong in Malé and outside resorts. Public displays of affection are frowned upon. Men and women rarely show affection in public. It has traditionally been considered respectful for men and women to maintain some from one another.
Foreigners are expected to dress appropriately. Men should not walk around bare chested and even in shorts in some places in Malé although Maldivians are now pretty used to tourists do this. Women should be properly covered with a long skirt and an unrevealing top. Women should keep their shoulders and legs covered. Bikinis and topless sunbathing are strictly prohibited outside of non-resort islands. At the resorts at least wear a swimsuit.
Remove your shoes before entering a home or mosque Mosques should be entered barefoot. If you’re not sure what to do check out what local people are doing. However, keep in mind that often foreigners are not allowed into mosques and locals are reluctant to have foreigners enter their homes.
Show respect towards elders. When accepting or giving something, you should use your right hand. The left hand is considered dirty. The taboo of using the left hand is especially strong where people eat with their hands and among Muslims. Try to avoid blowing your nose in public. . Displays of anger and aggression are looked own upon with contempt. Outward expressions of hostility are considered boorish and crude. Having a fit will not help you get your way: it will only make people think you are crazy. People generally go out of their way to avoid conflict.
Head and Feet in Sri Lanka
Among many people in South and Southeast Asia, the head is considered the highest and most sacred point of the body, both literally and figuratively, and the bottoms of the feet are lowest, least sacred and dirtiest part of the body. Thus, it is considered rude to point your foot at a person or a sacred object. Pointing your foot at someone is like saying you are the lowest, dirtiest creature on earth. Also don't expose the soles of your feet. Never put your feet on a table or couch. When sitting on the floor keep you legs crossed or tucked under you so you do not point your foot at anyone. When sitting in a chair don’t cross you legs. Don’t push anything to anyone with your feet. Don’t step over someone or a special object that is on the floor. Apologize if your feet accidentally touch something, particularly a person.
Because the feet are considered the dirtiest part of the body a great effort is made to avoid steeping over someone, food, utensils and sacred books. It is much more polite to ask someone to move than to step over them. If you accidently touch someone with your feet you can touch your hand to their feet or make a gesture that implies that you apologize.
Don't pat a child on the head. Patting the head is disrespectful. Many South Asians carry good luck charms in their shirt pockets instead of their pants pockets, because the higher up you go on the body the more evolved it is.
Islamic Customs in the Maldives
Islam for the most part is strictly observed in the Maldives outside the tourist areas. Alcohol, drugs, pork, non-Muslim religious materials and dogs are either banned outright or at least harshly frowned upon. Alcoholic drinks are generally available for tourists at the resorts. Pork is harder to come by.
It is not unusual for Muslims to be late because the give put getting in their daily prayers priority over getting to an appointment on time. It is also not common for buses, taxis and minbuses to pull off the side of the road during prayer time
Be extra respectful if you are in the Maldives during Ramadan. For the most part the entire nation observes the strict fasting rules from sunrise to sunset. Because of this, many restaurants may be closed during the day. If you are on an inhabited island, avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public or in front of fasting Muslims.
Mosque Customs in the Maldives
Non-Muslims are generally not allowed to enter mosques anywhere in Maldives, except if they are invited or have the okay of their guide. Mosques and shrines that do welcome non-Muslims expect them to be appropriately dressed: no shorts, short skirts, revealing halter tops or exposed shoulders. Mosques that allow women often require them to at least wear a head scarf. In many cases there are separate mosques for men and women, or least separate areas for women within the mosque.
The Muslim faithful are expected to remove their shoes and wash their feet in a sacred basin before they enter the mosque. If no water is available Muslims are supposed to wash themselves with sand. Foreigner visitors's can usually get away with just removing their shoes and are not required to wash their feet. In any case, make sure you feet or socks are clean. Dirty feet in a mosques are regarded as an insult to Islam. In large mosques you remove your shoes and place them on a shelf with a number.
Inside a mosque don't walk in front of someone who is praying, don't touch the Qur’an, never sit or stand on a prayer rug and never place a Qur’an on the floor or put anything on top of it. Also, don't cross your legs in front of an older people and don't step over someone who is sitting down Show respect, remain quiet and stay out of the way. Taking photographs is frowned upon.
Eating Customs in the Maldives
Eat with your right hand. Also try not accept or give the plates or anything for that matter with your left hand. The right hand is for eating, left for cleaning one’s butt. The tradition has its roots in Bedouin customs in an environment without much water. The Qur’an states the right hand is more honorable. Muhammad said: "the best of alms is that which the right hand giveth, and the left hand knoweth not of." Left handers have to learn to use their right hands. The left hand may be used to cut food, it should not be used to move food to the mouth.
Many people in the Maldives eat with their hands. Both at home and in restaurants they often begin by scooping rice on their plates. Then they put curry or food on top and mix everything with their fingers and make a rice-and-curry balls which they pop into their mouths. Roti (round flatbread) is used to scoop up rice, curry and other stew-like dishes. Maldivians insist that food tastes much better when eaten with the fingers. Finger bowls are often placed at the table for washing your fingers and hands. Most Maldivians wait until they are finished eating to wash off their hands. If there are no finger bowls you can excuse yourself and get up and wash your hands.
Local meals usually consist include rice or roshi (roti, flat bread) or both, plus soups, curries, vegetables, pickles and spicy sauces. In a teashop, a large meal with rice and roshi is called ‘long eats’. The most typical dish is garudia, a soup made from dried and smoked fish, often eaten with rice, lime and chilli. The soup is poured over rice, mixed up by hand and eaten with the fingers. [Source: Lonely Planet]
According to Lonely Planet: For snacks and light meals, Maldivians like hedhikaa, a selection of finger foods. In homes the hedhikaa are placed on the table and everyone helps themselves. In teashops this is called ‘short eats’ – a choice of things like fihunu mas (fish pieces with chilli coating), gulha (fried dough balls filled with fish and spices), keemia (fried fish rolls in batter) and kuli boakiba (spicy fish cakes). The Maldivian equivalent of the after-dinner mint is the areca or betel nut, chewed after a meal or snack. The little oval nuts are sliced into thin sections, some cloves and lime paste are added, the whole lot is wrapped in an areca leaf, and the wad is chewed whole. It’s definitely an acquired taste, and the kind of thing that few foreigners try more than once!
“When going to eat, wait to be shown where to sit and wait for the kateeb (island chief) or the male head of the household to sit down before you do. Take a little of everything offered and do so only with your right hand, as the left hand is considered unclean by Muslims. Do ask for cutlery if you find it hard to roll your food into little balls like the Maldivians do; this is quite normal for foreigners.”
Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons
Text Sources: New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Lonely Planet Guides, Library of Congress, Republic of Maldives Department of Information, the government site (maldivesinfo.gov.mv), Ministry of Tourism Maldives (tourism.gov.mv), Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC, visitmaldives.com), The Guardian, National Geographic, Smithsonian magazine, The New Yorker, Time, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Wikipedia and various books, websites and other publications.
Last updated February 2022