Customs and habits of Maldives

Maldives is an island country in the Indian Ocean and the largest coral island country in the world, located in South Asia. It consists of more than 1200 small coral islands, of which 202 islands are inhabited. Seen from the air, it looks like a string of pearls scattered in the Indian Ocean. With an area of about 298 square kilometers (excluding territorial waters), it is the smallest country in Asia. The Maldivian government officially left the Commonwealth on 20 16, 10, 13.

Male, the capital, is located on Male Island with the same name, with an area of about 1.5 square kilometers and a population of108,000 (2009). It is the political and economic center of the country and a port. Economically, in addition to fisheries and aquatic products processing, tourism has developed rapidly and an international airport has been built. The currency of Maldives is Rouffiat (RF), also known as Maldivian rupee. 1RF can be converted into HK$ 65438+ about 0 yuan RMB; 1 USD can be converted into 10- 1 1RF (depending on the exchange rate). Generally, hotels mainly use US dollars, and most resorts accept public credit cards. Male, the capital, can reach both.

Since ancient times, Maldives has been a transit point for navigators to travel between East and West. For thousands of years, Aryans, Phoenicians, Egyptians, China, Greeks and Romans have all been here, and the existence of "Thousand Island Countries" has also been mentioned in the nautical diaries of these ancient civilizations.

The Maldives also perfectly blends the beautiful faces of Arabs, Africans and Asians, as well as the rich and diverse cultures brought by maritime immigrants from all over the world. Local traditional music and dance are deeply influenced by East African culture, such as drumming and music. In addition, influenced by South Asian culture, its local food culture is particularly prominent.

Maldives is located in the tropics with a hot and humid climate. Generally, residential buildings are made of local materials, with coconut tree trunks as columns, mats woven from bark and leaves as tops, and coral rubble as walls. Now there are also houses made of bricks, tiles and coral stones, which are strong and beautiful.

Their clothes are relatively simple. Men usually wear white shirts and long skirts around their waists, while women's clothes are brightly colored. Generally, they don't wear veils, and often wear light-colored tops and long skirts. People take umbrellas to the streets to protect themselves from the sun and rain, and also to show their identity. By the way, everyone in Maldives has never suffered from dental diseases, because most of them get up and run to the beach to grind their teeth with sea sand.

In Maldives, women's social status is quite secure, but they generally don't take the initiative to shake hands with others. When friends arrive home, the host will take out the best food at home for dinner. When they met, they shook each other's hands and said hello. Maldivian families are dominated by men, who can have four wives. A polygamous husband supports each wife and child, and the child has the right to inherit property from her husband by blood.

On other indigenous islands, men wander around the sea all the year round fishing for a living, while women play the role of caring for the young and the old. After all, in archipelagic countries, the ocean is the resource that aborigines depend on for survival all the year round, so marine people will naturally present the customs of this independent nation with marine culture.

Moreover, because the Maldives takes Islam as the state religion, the islanders do not eat pork or drink alcohol. Traditionally, fish, coconut and cassava are the staple foods of local residents, but with the economic development, imported foods such as rice and flour have become staple foods. Women must wear long skirts when they go out, and men can't wear shorts. Foreign tourists don't have to abide by this rule in resort hotels, but when they arrive at the islands of local residents such as Male, they must do as the Romans do.

Most residents of Maldives are devout Muslims. They are polite, polite, simple and hospitable, and pray five times a day. On Friday, Islamic Day is their weekly holiday, and shops, schools and public places will be closed on this day.

There are also many festivals in Maldives, but they are all related to religion. Of course, during these festivals, Maldivians will also hold many very grand ceremonies to spend these festivals. For example, 12 in March of the Islamic calendar is an annual holy day, which is the birthday anniversary of Muhammad. Every year, 65438+February 10 is the legal "Fisherman's Day", which is celebrated by the whole country.