History
Maldives has been inhibited for over 2.500 years which goes a long way as the first adventurers and traders began to sail in the Indian Ocean. Many renowned and adventurous travelers discovered Maldives. Being on the sea routes to Malacca and China, people from different parts of the world came across this small island nation. The first settlers could have been people from southern India and Sri Lanka.
The archaeological sites at Kaashidhoo, which are among the discoveries in the Maldives to be subjected to scientific inquiry, have been dated to 3rd or 4th century AD. Thus, Buddhism would have been brought to the Maldives sometime before that date. As the Maldives was well known in the region, it is quite possible that when King Ashoka, the famous Indian King (265-238 BC) sent out missionaries to various South Asian countries to spread Buddhism, some of them had arrived in the Maldives.
12th century AD, there was the arrival of sailors from Arabian countries and from East Africa. Traces of their influence on these islands can still be seen in the language and culture of the natives of Maldives. The linguistic and cultural aspect of Maldives has evolved through the generations and basically is influenced by the many races that visited and stayed in Maldives.
“Dhivehi Raajje” which means “Island of Kingdom”. The Graeco-Roman maritime trade, that involved many of the coastal people from Arabia to India, Sri Lanka and beyond came to the Maldives. Maldives had the valuable commodities of cowry shells, turtle shells, Maldive fish, and ambergris and coir rope to trade.
Maldivians themselves traveled far and wide, they brought home exotic products and left behind records of their adventurous visits. The documented visits made to the court of Roman Emperor Julian in 362 AD and visits to the court of the Tang Dynasty Emperor of China in 658 AD are fine examples.
Maldivians later traveled to Bengal, Malaysia and to the rest of Asia. This brought in strong influxes of these languages. Conversion to Islam was introduced in Arabic and Persian elements. The Portuguese who overcame the Maldives in the 16th Century added theirs elements. Maldivians who sought education in Indian universities in the 18th century brought Urdu and Hindi. In the 19th Century, the British Empire contributed English to the island.
Culture
The Maldives has a history and rich culture evolved from the settlers who came from various parts of the world. Some of the local music and dance for instance resemble African and Arabian influences, Also there is South Asian influence, in some of the music and dancing and especially in the traditional food of the Maldivians. However many of the South Asian customs especially with regard to women - for instance the Sub Continent’s tradition of secluding women from public view - are not tenets of life in the Maldives. In fact women play a major role in society.
