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Though
performances of traditional music and dance are not
everyday events, there is a contemporary Divehi culture
which is strong and adaptive, despite foreign influences
which range from Hindi movies and Oriental martial arts
to Michael Jackson and Muslim fundamentalism. Western
fashions, pop music and videos are visible in the capital,
but on public occasions, like the beginning and end
of Ramadan, the celebrations always have a distinctly
Maldivian touch. There are three daily newspapers and
several magazines in the unique national language, rock
bands who sing Divehi lyrics, and multi-storey buildings
which echo the architecture of Maldivian island houses.
A bodu beru means a big drum, and gives its name to
the best
known form of traditional music and dance. It's what
tourist resorts put on for a local culture night, and
it can be quite sophisticated and compelling. Dancers
begin with a slow, nonchalant swaying and swinging of
the arms, and become more animated as the tempo increases,
finishing in a rhythmic frenzy. There are four to six
drummers in an ensemble, and the sound has strong African
influences. Contemporary local rock bands often perform
at resorts where they do credible covers of the usual
old favorites. Performing for a local audience they
may incorporate elements of bodu beru in their music,
with lots of percussion and extended drum solos. Cassettes
from local bands are sold in Malé music shops.
Islam is the national religion and all Maldivians are
Sunni Muslims. No other religions are permitted, though
ancient beliefs survive: for example, islanders fear
jinnis - evil spirits which come from the sea, land
and sky. These are blamed for everything that cannot
be explained by religion or science.
Fish and rice are the staple foods of Maldivians with
meat and chicken eaten only on special occasions. National
dishes include fried fish, fish curry and fish soup.
Arecanut (an oval nut chewed with betel leaf, cloves
and lime) is the equivalent of an after-dinner mint.
Alcohol is only available in tourist resorts. The local
brew is raa, a sweet and delicious toddy tapped from
the crown of the palm trunk. Apart from coconuts, there
are very few fruits and vegetables grown on the islands,
so most of the food served at tourist resorts is imported.
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