Maldivian

BY: Malaak Ahmed

Dress & Faisal

Jewellery
Intoduction

Maldivian women have traditionally been decorated in jewellery by local blacksmiths.

Such ornaments includefattaru(a silver girdle worn around ones hip),fattaru-
ba(golden necklace),ulaorkeveli(golden bracelets or
wristlets),thakaholi(anklets),angoti(ring) andmudi(earrings) these are usually
passed down from generation to generation. Local craftsman have largely stopped
fashioning such jewellery, however, they are rarely commissioned to create such
objects for special occasions,
Fattaru(a silver girdle worn around ones hip)

Maldivian women
Fattaru-ba(golden necklace)

Maldivian,
Ulhaorkeveli(golden bracelets or wristlets)

Maldivian women
Thakaholi(anklets)

Maldivian women
Angoti(ring)

Maldivian women
Kanfathu Mudhi(earrings)

Maldivian
Libaas

This is the traditional dress of Maldivian women.

Top The dress known as Libaas is made mostly of plain colours with intricate
hand woven embroidery made of colourful & glittery threads. This kind of hand
woven embroidery has become very rare in the Maldives now as well as the
dress itself. Except the use for cultural events and performances, few old women
in some islands still wear them. Libaas without the embroidery is seen slightly
more.
Bottom The skirt known as Feyli is always in plain black with three white lines
running across on the bottom and a slit along the side/back. The everyday
version of feyli known as kandiki is plain black without the white lines. The old
women who still wear the plain libaas accompany it with kandiki rather than
feyli.
Head Piece When a woman wears libaas & feyli, she normally wears her hair
in a bun (known as 'hulhi') on the side of her head. This bun is covered with a
head piece called Rumaa Falhi which literally means Half a handkerchief. This
piece sometimes comes with elaborate designs and intricate embroidery as well.
Jewellery The gold or gold plated chain is called Karu Fattaru Bai and is never
used for every-day purposes in the present day. However, the traditional
Maldivian womens attire will be incomplete without it!