Tribute To A Proud People

When I shot the above picture about six months ago, I only saw the beautiful sunset and named it “Sunset Over Giraavaru Island”. I never thought I would be writing about how the sun set on the proud people of Giraavaru! It is a strange world and events take unpredictable turns and bends.

According to traditional lore we heard when we were young; the Giraavaru people were the ancient owners and rulers of the Maldives. It is said that a South Indian Prince along with his entourage asked for permission from the Giraavaru people, to settle on the neighbouring island of Male.

According to what I read Giraavaru island was not this tiny in her prime days. Gira, literally means eroding and varu is perhaps from faru meaning reef. It is said that the island had large houses and spacious temples in those days. Since the lagoon is still vast it is highly possible that changing weather patterns gradually eroded the main part of the island.

The Giraavaru people are the indigenous people of the Maldives. They are the earliest island community whose presence predates Buddhism in Maldives. Their ancestors were ancient Tamil people from present day Kerala. Their former status was rather like the palm-tree tapping lower ( raaveri) castes of Kerala. While the rest of the Maldives allowed multiple marriages, the Giraavaru people were said to be very strictly monogamous. Also while we tolerated divorcing these earliest of our settlers did not permit divorce.

In the Sixties, the people of Giraavaru were allocated in Hulhulhe for a few years and later once again resettled in the West coast of Male. Has the quality of life been better to them after their settlement in Male’? It is not for us to answer this difficult question. Leaders of many developing countries have asserted that their indigenous peoples deserve the modern amenities enjoyed by the rest. Some NGOs say that in doing so, the governments are interfering with their lives! The debate will go on! Sadly, the sun has set on the ancient lifestyles of our very earliest settlers!

Thank You!