A large number of religious festivals
are held in the Maldives each year.
As an Islamic country, the most
important festival here is Ramadan.
Ramadan in the Maldives is celebrated
with great pomp and gaiety. The
festival is celebrated in the month
of Ramadan, the ninth month of the
Muslim calendar. The period begins
to see the new moon.
Ramadan is locally known as 'rorda
Mas '. Ramadan is the Islamic month
of fasting. During this period,
people fast for 30 days. Working
hours are modified during this period.
Government offices operate from
9: 00 am to 1:30 pm, while the private
sector closes at 3:00 pm in the
afternoon. During the day, restaurants
are all closed because people fast
during this period. The onset of
Ramadan is based on the lunar calendar
and, therefore, the date of its
appearance varies each year. In
Ramadan, prayer sessions are held
five times a day.
After fasting for a month, people
celebrate the religious festival
in preparing grand celebrations.
People go to the houses of their
friends and relatives or invite
them to their houses to join them
in these sumptuous feasts. A large
number of local dishes are prepared
in these celebrations. The most
common dishes prepared as Gula,
kuli boakiba and Foni boakiba. Kiru
Sarbat is a soft drink, which is
prepared at this festival. The food
prepared at this festival is very
tasty and delicious. People buy
new clothes and other articles in
this festival. During these festivals
people visit mosques and offer their
prayers. Both young and old take
part in the celebrations and have
a lot of time together.
In the Maldives Ramadan is celebrated
with great music and dance programs.
People get together and sing traditional
songs. Shows of traditional dance
and poetry recitations are also
organized during the festival of
Ramadan. Folk Dances are held as
well as modern jazz performances.
Poetry recitations and competitions
are also held in the Maldives. The
poets are invited to recite Raivaru,
a traditional form of poetry recitation.
