The week came to an end with exhausted holiday goers, with cramps on their backs and bags to unpack, it is time to continue the busy lifestyle of a typical Maldivian local. It was one of those years in 2018 when the Arabic Calendar coincided with the Gregorian Calendar to create a nine-day long holiday. Popularly known as “Bodu Eid (The Big Eid)”, the holiday usually comes with four-days from the Hajj Day, Eid-Al Adha and the two consecutive days that follow. Luckily, the government granted Sunday as a holiday, giving everyone a lengthy vacation from Friday 17th to Saturday 25th.
Out of the two Eids’ celebrated by Muslims, Eid-Al Adha is the most vibrantly and culturally-rich celebrations in the Maldivian society. Especially since the activities continue consecutively during the three days of Eid. People in the cities pack up to their respective islands, and to new local islands to get the whole-some Eid experience leaving the capital deserted for the entire holiday. From cooking to preparing large crafts for the parades, islanders go all-in for the annual extravaganza.
Following the usual Eid Prayer, Breakfast and the colour-fiesta, islands are rumbling with the beating drums of boduberu and heavy music. As the people dance through the choreography and excitement, it is a blood pumping club at the island square. There are also parades of Maali –people dressed in hand-made costumes and body-paint exhuming the diversity of Indian and African cultures within the Maldivian heritage. Eid traditions are slightly different in each atoll, and more advanced each year. For example, the event Koadi Kendun, where at once a large palm-leaf made structure is hunted down by the women of the island. Usually carried out on land, this year in GA. Gemanafushi, the Koadi was driven in a lagoon on a small speedboat, where women swam after it. Eid is a season of Maldivian artistry and creativity, where traditions never wear out of style and trend.
Indeed once again, they depart from their lands to their busy lifestyles, saying goodbyes to loved ones and newly made friends. In the promise to reunite the next Eid, for the next few weeks they recall their memories through pictures, messenger groups left to converse. It is uncanny, how once upon a time Maldivians used to be as unite and joyful. What is left is to be hopeful, that one day the lovely island communities will sing and dance their worries away, just how their ancestors used to be.
