Any nation’s traditional dress is an integral component of its people’s identity. Like any other nation, the Maldives is endowed with distinctive, historically rich traditional clothing. Let’s start by examining some classic women’s clothing from bygone eras. And it should come as no surprise that there are more traditional clothes for women than for males in the Maldives, as is the case with every nation.
The majority of the traditional Maldivian clothing that we have detailed here was worn by both men and women, however it has since evolved with the times. Women and men don’t typically dress in these traditional attires unless it’s for an extremely special event or a dance performance that highlights the Maldives’ natural beauty and customs.
Women’s Attire That Persisted in Trend
Hedhun Buri :
Even though this ensemble is rarely seen on a casual basis these days, young girls nevertheless love to wear it for special performances. These unique dresses, which are no longer frequently found in stores, can be custom-made at nearby seamstress shops if you provide your dimensions.
The most informal clothing was Hedhun Buri, which was typically worn by young women and girls. Although this is a daytime ensemble, it was frequently worn to joyful days for boduberu or bandiyaa dance performances. Plain or floral fabrics are used to make the shirts, which have pleated skirts that fall above the knee and short sleeves (adults who wear buruga have longer sleeves below). This top is worn with a black “feyli,” or skirt, that has white accents on the sides or hemline. Ladies wearing this garment either wear their hair loose or in a tight braid, or they wear matching buruga.
Dhivehi Libaas :
Around the nation, there are regional seamstresses and tailors who specialize in making these exquisite gowns. While Dhivehi Libaas may be bought at most Maldivian souvenir shops, the greatest ones are still fashioned to order by seamstresses who have been trained in dressmaking for generations.
Bright colors like red, green, and blue are typical for Dhivehi Libaas; the most formal option is a bright blood red dress. There are two varieties of this Dhivehi Libaas: the more informal one has simple garments with a different color or design embroidered near the collar and long sleeve hem instead of the silver or gold embroidery.
Wearing a feyli skirt with similarly fine accents, the formal Dhivehi Libaas with its complex embroidery method is reserved for exceptionally special occasions, such as brides’ wedding days. Accessory pieces for the ensemble include thick gold bracelets, a long gold chain necklace known as a “fahtaru,” and a tiny hair bun covered in an exquisite sideways chignon called a “rumaa falhi.”
For their wedding, modern brides choose to wear a white version of these dhivehi libaas, although the red version is still the most striking Maldivian attire.
Dhiguhedhun (Faaskurihedhun) :
Even now, the Maldives still have a custom of wearing dhiguhedhun on certain occasions. Bridal gowns made of white Dhiguhedhun are becoming increasingly popular for marriage ceremonies. The wedding dhiguhedhun is frequently adorned with rhinestones and faux pearls and composed of white fabric.
The Maldives’ current national attire is called Dhiguhedhun, or Faaskurihedhun. The Dhiguhedhun, which is made to highlight the contours of the wearer of the gown, is best described as charming and feminine. The term “long dress,” dhiguhedhun, refers to a floor-length frock with long sleeves and a puritan collar. A little lace veil known as a “bolifothikolhu” is used as an accessory to go with the dress. It is attached to the back of the hair and extends the length of the loose, flowing hair.
Dhiguhedhun was originally constructed of plain lace-like material, occasionally embellished with tiny beads and other little objects, but the outfit has changed with time. These days, the materials utilized to produce these dresses have lovely designs and resemble chiffon.
Men’s attire from the Maldives’ past
Wear Mundu and simple tees every day :
Among the few outfits, the most informal is the traditional “Mundu” sarong, which is typically paired with plain-colored t-shirts. Nearly every man wore these on a daily basis. The males of the Maldives used to labor under the sun, fishing and farming, wearing only sarongs and little else due to the country’s intensely hot and humid climate.
Sarongs and long sleeve shirts are appropriate attire :
In the past, males in the Maldives would dress more formally, wearing long sleeved white shirts with “mundu” (chequered or simple-lined sarongs) or “feyli” (typically dark red or black sarongs with white stripes on the hem). Typically, men were observed wearing this clothing during ceremonies and special events. The outfit was accessorized with a headpiece that resembled a cap and was made of a tiny article of clothing. Men occasionally go topless with their headgear and only wear sarongs.
Maldivian men in their elaborate headwear
Though our knowledge of the attire worn by Maldivian males in the past is restricted, the evolution of headwear across time provides us with a wealth of historical clues about the Maldives.
Men would frequently keep a variety of hats and caps in their wardrobe to fit various duties and responsibilities during the day. When working in the fields, they would frequently wear a smaller, Maldivianized version of a Persian kaffiyeh to shield oneself from the sun or to look particularly stylish at an occasion. Fisherpeople wore their own take on the straw hat, typically made by hand from dried coconut palm fronds and oddly evoking a Japanese Roningasa from the edo period. Not only that, though. The men of the Maldives wore a different type of headgear for prayer, called Thaakihaa, which is a somewhat bigger, round, rimless, and colorful Kufi that is similar to the headdress worn by the ancient African diaspora.
These are just a handful of the historical outfits worn by Maldivian men and women. Don’t you think they are clothes fit for the catwalk? Models have really been seen wearing updated replicas of the historical clothing on a few domestic and international catwalks. The majority of these are still utilized for cultural, traditional, and celebratory events, and they are frequently offered for sale in gift stores to visitors as takeaways. However, Maldivians’ attire has generally changed throughout time, with quick fashion becoming the standard for everybody. However, many people would proudly wear the traditional garb on special occasions, adding a few own touches here and there.