Fuvammulah
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Fuvammulah |
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| Island Summary | |
| Belongs to | Gnaviyani Atoll |
| Location | 0°16′45″S 73°24′30″E / 0.27917°S 73.40833°ECoordinates: 0°16′45″S 73°24′30″E / 0.27917°S 73.40833°E |
| Area | |
| Population | 10506 (March 2007) |
| Length | 4500 m |
| Width | 1200 m |
| Distance from Malé | 494 km |
| Administrative Information | |
| Island Chief | Hassan Saeed |
Fuvammulah or Fua Mulaku (Dhivehi: ފުވައްމުލައް) is a large single island in the Maldives. It is one of the administrative divisions of the Maldives under the name Gnaviyani Atoll or Nyaviyani Atoll. The inhabitants speak a distinctive form of the Dhivehi language, known as Mulaki baha which is somehow in between the forms of Dhivehi spoken in Huvadu and Addu.
The name of this island means "Island of the Areca nut palms", Fuvah (or "Fua") in the local language. Other places in the world like Penang in Malaysia and Guwahati in Assam, India, are also named after this nut. The original name of the island could have simply been Mulah, but was called Fuvammulah (the Mulah with the arecanut palms) to distinguish it from Boli Mulah- another important island in ancient Maldives [1].
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[edit] Geography
The island is about 4.5 km by 1.2 km with a submerged reef (Rashikedefaro) extending for about three km in a SE direction. In the distant past Fua Mulaku was a small coral atoll whose southern end was open at a spot called Diyarehifaando and the inside of the island was a saltwater lagoon forming a natural harbour. There is a spot in the southern end known as a Kudhuheraivali (the forest of the small islet), which indicates that there was a separate little island in that area in ancient times. But long ago the channel connecting the lagoon with the ocean was closed by massive coral boulders. Thus the inside of the island is lower than its edges. In time the inner lagoon lost its saltiness and all that remains today are two small lakes, wetlands and marshy taro fields. Therefore Fua Mulaku is a small Atoll that closed and filled in with silt, like Nukutavake in the Central Pacific.
The northern lake of the island is known as "Dhadimagi-Kilhi" and the southern is known as "Bandaara-Kilhi" (lit. 'Harbour Lake' because formerly there was much talk among the locals about making a harbour by connecting it with the sea through a canal). Lacking a lagoon and being subject to violent ocean swells, Fua Mulaku island was often inaccessible to seafarers. Recently a harbor has been built at the SE tip of the island, but it is not easy to use in the often harsh weather conditions.
Fua Mulaku was traditionally divided into nine villages (clockwise from the Northern end): Dhadimago, Hōdhado, Mālegan, Dūndigan, Funādo, Miskimmago, Dhashokubai, Mādhado and Diguvāndo. Nowadays the number of villages has been reduced to eight, since the village of Dashokubai was merged with Miskimmago. Each district has a chief who is accountable to the island chief.
[edit] Dhadimago
This is the largest division of the island,[2] [3] located on the north-west of the island. Economically this district heavily depends upon agriculture. The adjacent fields to the Thoondu, are primarily used for agriculture and are the main agricultural fields of the island. These fields are the largest producers of watermelon in the island and has been the largest producer of sweet potatoes (kattela) as well as some other products from ancient times. Apart from these Dhadimago is the largest producer of coconut in the island. The famous three "Beeva" of Fuvahmulah (Kudhu Beeva, Medhe Beeva and Bodo Beeva) is located in this district which contributes to the most number of coconuts produced in Fuvammulah. Large proportions of Pond-apple (Kalhuhuthu Meyvaa) also can be found in the district in the marsh land area associated with the "Dhadimagi Kilhi". Along with agriculture, white-collar workers are the primary source of income in the district, although some depend upon fishing as a source of income. Dhadimago has the famous anchorage known as Neregando on its shores along with a boatyard. Until the construction of the harbour in Fuvammulah, Neregando has been an active boatyard in Fuvammulah where the locals built their own fishing vessels (Dhoni) and ships. Today, still Neregando is used as a boatyard most oftenly for building "Dhonis" by the people of Dhadimago.
The flying fish (Hulhammaha) phenomenon is one of the most significant features of Dhadimago. In recent years Dhadimago has been the only district where this phenomenon occurs thus attracting people from other districts too.
Thoondu, Dhadimagi Kilhi along with Gemmiskiy are few of the many places of interest, located within this district. Thoondu, a white sandy beach on the north of the island is by far the most well known feature of Dhadimago, and Fuvammulah. Hundreds of people visit this beach everyday, and this figure is much higher in special occasions like Maahefun. Dhadimagi kilhi, an enclosed fresh water lake is found in the center of the district. This lake is the largest among the two lakes in Fuvammulah.
Historically, the Havitta in Fuvammulah has been a part of Dhadimago.[4] It was well known among the locals as "Dhadimagi Havitta". Havitta was claimed to Hodhado in the 1980s, with a dispute which started between people of Dhadimago and Hodhado when the government started putting signposts to mark the districts. This became a serious problem and was brought to the attention of the government. Debates were held in the Atoll Office between both the villagers and both presented their supportive evidences. Even though the evidences in favour of Dhadimago were more reliable, the government never came to a conclusion and left the issue as it is for fear of a violent struggle and some other reasons. Evidences in favour of Dhadimago included that the Havitta being called "Dhadimagi Havitta" and considered a part of Dhadimago from ancient times (To not be one sided the older people neither of Dhadimago or Hodhado, eg. ageing people of nearest Dhiguvaado and Maadhado, etc.. witnessed this. They said and still say they heard their forefathers calling Dhadimagi Havitta and they never heard of the place being called Hodhadi Havitta), the agricultural lands surrounding Havitta being owned by villagers of Dhadimago (Still it is the villagers of Dhadimago who own most of the farmlands near the Havitta), the coconut palm trees and "Funa" in the area being owned by villagers of Dhadimago (In the past lumber from these kind of vegetation were used for purposes like cooking, construction, etc... People of Dhadimago who owned these kind of vegetation can still be cleared), the marsh lands (Taro Fields) located near the Havitta area being owned by the villagers of Dhadimago and the reliable words of the famous Maldivian Geographer, first Atoll Chief of Fuvammulah Mohamed Ibrahim Lutufee being for the fact that Havitta was a part of Dhadimago (Mr. Lutufee witnessed the issue being the Atoll Chief, his word was the same that the area of Dhadimago is the area to the north west of a line which can be drawn from the Geragado fanno area (South of MJM School) to the Havitta area (Shore area east of Thoodu), the evidence for his word is some older houses which can be reached only through Dhiguvaado, but are inside the given boundary of Dhadimago being considered as Dhadimago, but not of Dhiguvaado from the unknown past (eg. Ranauraage (Ranauraafeeshi)). The main evidence the villagers of Hodhado used was a road to Havitta from Hodhado side being constructed by the toddy tappers of Hodhado. (The evidence is not so reliable judging from neutral point of view. "Raaverin Magukoshun" (Construction of roads by toddy tappers) was a kind of custom the natives of Fuvammulah practiced from ancient times[5]. The toddy tappers of the whole island reconstructed 2 main roads each year until the recent past. The Ribaath Magu on the Maaneyre side and Veyregami Magu, the so called road claimed to be constructed by toddy tappers of "Hodhado" while Toddy tappers from the whole island did the work. Even if done by them the issue was not concerning the area of Hodhado. Otherwise Maaneyre also should be a part of Hodhado). However, inspite of all the evidences in favour of Dhadimago, the government left the issue undecided saying for the fear of a struggle between the villagers. The issue was political too. The government did not want the villagers of Hodhado turning anti-government while there were natives of Dhadimago in high posts of the government. The issue was considered to affect the parliamentary elections in which they, the high post officials from Dhadimago used to challenge and win the seats with popular majorities. Poor villagers of Dhadimago, with the change in time it was the villagers of Hodhado who settled and started living in the area. Thus, Havitta by itself having a long history of being a part of Dhadimago became considered among the locals as a part of Hodhado. But, the people of Hodhado living in the area does not mean the historical area of Dhadimago being changed. As said before, the area consisted of the livestock of villagers of Dhadimago, such as the farmlands and wood lands which can be cleared even today. The government's carelessness on the issue can be clearly seen. As the population of Hodhado increases from day to day the people moving towards Dhadimago increases. Reportedly, today there are some villagers of Hodhado who claim Thoondu, Gemmiskiy and the farmlands in the adjacent fields to Thoondu (Dhadimagi Dhadomathi (All know there are two Dhadomathi historically. One being in Dhadimago and the other in Dhoodigan,(Dhoodigami Dhadomathi)) as a part of Hodhado. It is said that they consider the area up to Gemmiskiy Fanno as Hodhado, but that is a big misconception. Leaving the actual area of Dhadimago into history today the area of Dhadimago is considered to be the area starting from the woods east to the Ulaa pre school if referring to the area to be looked after by the committees of Dhadimago and Hodhado respectively.,[6] Thus, Thoondu, Gemmiskiy and everything inside the given boundary are in Dhadimago. If referring to government used maps, evidence is clear that there is no change in the historical boundary of Dhadimago. Mostly in Fuvammulah people do not take care of the village boundaries. According to government maps still used the area of Dhadimago is the area to the north west of a line which can be drawn from the shore area to the south west of MJM School to the shore area to the east of Thoondu.[7] [8] If exceeding the limit than Thoondu along with Gemmiskiy is also Hodhado as if some locals say expressing discomfort.[9] If obeying the maps, still Havitta is in Dhadimago. It will remain historically as well, forever. If not obeying the maps Dhadimagi Kilhi may also become a part of Hodhado and be named Hodhadi Kilhi tomorrow as what has happened to Dhadimagi Havitta. Finally, considering the area geographically, Dhadimago is on the large side of Fuvammulah.[10] The side which is larger across and wider compared with the other end, Dundigan. The widening of this end of the island starts from the shore area to the east of Thoondu on the north. Moving anti-clockwise the widened part almost ends on the shore area to the south of MJM School. Thus, joining the two points to form the territory of Dhadimago. If relating with the past this could have been the way the people would have marked the territory of Dhadimago (They also can recognise the curves). A perfect theory to explore the real Dhadimago. History will remain. Historically, it is Dhadimagi Havitta. Still, the older people of Fuvammulah (excluding Dhadimago and Hodhado to remain neutral) witness it. Today, still there are people who consider Havitta as a part of Dhadimago. This can be recognised from the people's words. If to visit the Havitta most of the older people of other villages as well as some youth will say, "Hingaala Dhadimagaha Havitta balaalanna" (Lets go to Dhadimago to see the Havitta). If concerning historical places, "Hingaala Dhadimagaha Thoondu aa Havittaa yaa gemmiskithaa thanthan balaalanna" (Lets go to Dhadimago to see the Thoondu, Havitta, Gemmiskiy and such places). Never did they heard about a Hodhadi Havitta or Hodhadi kilhi. Never did they heard about a Hoadhadi Thoondu or Gemmiskiy. Neither did they consider it as Hodhado. History will be History. Considering the area geographically, the way of living and life style of the villagers of Dhadimago, historical evidences, government used maps still (No change is made to the maps even though villagers of Hodhado handle affairs of the area)[11] and all these factors prove that Havitta is a part of Dhadimago. Even though the people consider it or not, historical facts will remain forever. Dhadimago has a large complex of historical land marks which are considerably innumerable. It can be considered as the most historical district of Fuvammulah.
When it comes to education, Dhadimago stands first with the highest literacy rate in Fuvammulah. Dhadimago produced teachers more than any other district. The primary school, Madharusathu-Sheikh Mohammed Jamaaluddeen in Dhadimago is the best primary school in Fuvammulah.[12] The school came into being with the hard work of the people of Dhadimago along with the people of neighboring Dhiguvaado.
Dhadimago produced some of the most educated people of Maldives like former Chief Justice Ustaz Mohamed Rasheed Ibrahim , former Education Minister and Youth Minister Dr.Mohamed Zahir Hussain , former Planning and Urban Development Minister Ibrahim Rafeeq, editor of Haveeru daily Dr. Ali Rafeeq, famous ENT Doctor Dr. Mauroof Hussain, Member of Civil Service Commission Mr. Mohamed Fahumee Hassan, etc... Some distinguished literary people from this district are famous poet Gnaviyani Ali Shareef and famous writer Abdullah Farooq Hassan. There are some other countless educated people from this district as well making it the most educated district in Fuvahmulah. Most notably, the independence hero of Maldives Former President Ibrahim Nasir is also from the district of Dhadimago.
[edit] Diguvāndo
Located just after Dhadimago, this is one of the smallest districts in Fuvammulah, along with its neighbor Hōdhado. It also shares a border with Mādhado. Most residents of Diguvāndo rely heavily on white collar jobs for income. Apart from this, retail business is also a main source of income. Perhaps the most prominent feature of this district is the "Chas bin" (an area of wet land) associated with Dhadimago-Kilhi. The Wathaniya communications antenna located in the Aruffanno Mago and Mohammed Jamaaluddeen Naibu Thutthu Mago junction, is the tallest structure in the Maldives, along with the Dhiraagu Communications antenna in the island. Both structures stand 400 feet tall. A part of Madharusathu-Sheikh Mohammed Jamaludden (one of the three primary schools in the island) is located within Diguvāndo. The most famous personality to-date from this district is the famous Poet laureate of the Maldives Jamaaluddin naibu thuthu.
[edit] Hōdhado
Hōdhado is the smallest district in Fuvammulah. This district shares borders with Dhadimago, Diguvāndo and Mādhado. Historically , many residents of Hōdhado depended on fishing as the primary source of income, although today retail business along with white collar jobs have diminished the dependency on fishing. The traditional harbour "Bandahalu Fanno" is located within Hōdhado which explains its dependency on fishing.
[edit] Mādhado
Located in the center of the island, being the capital this district houses the strategically most important buildings in the island, including the Atoll Office, House of the Atoll Chief, Island Office, Fuvammulah Court, Youth Centre, State Trading Organization Shopping Centre, Wataniya, Bank of Maldives fuvahmulak Branch and other important government buildings. Other important buildings in this district include the MNDF establishment in Fuvammulah, Maldives Police Service building and the Dhiraagu Operations Center, Fuvammulah. The Dhiraagu communications antenna is located in Mādhado.
[edit] Mālegan
This village stretches along the island fringe facing the Northeast. Previously, the most famous anchorage of the island, Rasgefanno, is located on Mālegan's shore. One of the oldest and the biggest mosque known as Hukuru Miskih is located in this village.
[edit] Miskimmago
The former Dashokubai village was merged with Miskimmago. This village has the anchorage known as Mānere on its shores. This anchorage was used in the NE monsoon season (Iruvai). The transverse street known as Heraha Mago cuts across this village. On its southern end Miskimmago has merged with neighboring Funādo.
[edit] Funādo
This is the southernmost village of Fuvammulah. It used to be limited by large taro marshes on its southeastern side. The origin of its name lies in some large groves of the tree known locally as "funa" (Calophyllum inophyllum) that were located on its southern end.
[edit] Dūndigan
This village lies in the Southeastern corner of the island. It has merged with Mālegan on its northern end. The newly-built harbour is located in Dūndigan.It is the most populous district of the island. It also has a large marsh land area shared with Funaadu and Maalegan. In addition to that it has a large area with many coconut trees and vegetation. This area is currently dedicated for planned airport. Dūndigan is the second largest division of the island after Dhadimago.
Dūndigan has a large agricultural area similar to Dhadimago, which produces enough water melon and other crops. It used to be the main producer of water melon in the past, but later on Dhadimago started to compete as well with the increase in water melon farms in the adjacent fields to Thoondu. A famous historical location called "Vashoveyo" is located in this district. The famous anchorage "Bilihifeyshe neru" is located in the south of the district and the unique location of "Kalho akiri gando" can be found in the beach areas of this ward.
Dūndigan has some important educated people, like the former minister in both governments of Maumoon and Nasheed, Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, Mr. Abdulla Nafiz (Dean of Faculty of Management and Computing), Mr. Abdul Hannan Waheed (Director of Maldives Accreditation Board (MAB)), Mr. Mohamed Maleeh Jamaal, Marketing Executive, MTPB, Mr. Maalik Mohamed, Starwood Ms. Mazeena Jamaal, Mr. Nafiz Mohamed etc.
[edit] Demography/Communication
The high rate of fertility has resulted in overpopulation. With more than 10,000 inhabitants, the availability of land for market gardening is steadily diminishing. The most updated population figure for the island is available on Ministry of Atolls Development website, which states that as of March 2007, the island had a population of 5117 women and 5389 men, giving a total of 10506. This gives a sex ratio of 0.95.
Dhiraagu is the only landline telephone communication service provider in the island, as well as in the entire country. However though, Wataniya along with Dhiraagu provides mobile communication services in the island. The Dhiraagu communications antenna, located in the premises of Dhiraagu Fuvammulah Operations Centre, is the tallest structure in the Maldives. The antenna stands 400 feet (121 meters) tall. It connects Gaafu Alif Atoll, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll and Fuvammulah to the rest of the nation. Apart from Dhiraagu, Focus Infocom Private Limited provides internet services in the island.
[edit] Transport
Formerly there were many bicycles in Fua Mulaku, an ideal mode of transportation in this flat, large island. But presently there is a great number of motorcycles. The construction of Fuvammulah Harbor has given way to a sudden boost in the number of vehicles - notably motor cycles - in the island. This, on the other hand has increased road accidents, many of them fatal. It is also to be noted that the poorly constructed roads, have indirectly contributed to road accidents. Finivaa Magu, the main road running from north to south of the island, along with other roads are not paved. The only paved road is the Mohamed Jamaaludeen Naibu Thutthu Magu. While this road is still under construction, part of it has been paved. When completed this road will be the longest road in the island running from the harbour, connecting all 8 districts.
The island currently does not have an air strip. However, under the government's program to build more airports in the country, the work is underway
[edit] Health Services
The first Health Centre officially started its services on May 12, 1973. Even though the centre was a fully owned by the government, it did not have its own building. Therefore the centre operated in a private house. A separate building for the Health Centre was constructed and the services began in the new building on March 24, 1988. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom inaugurated the new building. As the population of the island increased significantly, and due to the isolation of the island, government upgraded the Health Centre to a Hospital on June 11, 2001.
[edit] Education
Fuvammulah is served by 10 schools. Consisting of 6 pre-schools, 3 primary schools and a secondary school. Gn. Atoll Education Centre, the only secondary school serving the island is the largest education centre in the island. Inaugurated on April 20, 1982, it currently serves more than 1000 students. Fuvammulaku School (FS) which was owned and operated by the citizens of the island, is one of the three primary schools in the island. Located in Dūndigan, it serves the south west part of the island. Government assumed full control over the school on March 1, 1992. Madharusathu-Sheik Mohammed Jamaaluddeen (MJM), opened on November 3, 1992 serves north-west part of the island. The school was built by the people of Dhadimago and Dhiguvaado. This is also a primary school and has been the most successful primary school in Fuvahmulah.[13] The other primary school in the island is Hafiz Ahmed School (usually referred as HAS) which was opened on April 22, 2004. It currently serves more than 500 students.
[edit] Law Enforcement and Security
Historically the island was and still is, considered as a peaceful island with low crime rates. However crime rate has gone up especially with regards to drugs and gang fights. A regional branch of the Maldives Police Service was established in the island on October 07, 1996. Back then the Police and the Armed Forces of the Maldives were the same, known as National Security Service. The main objective of Fuahmulaku Police Station is to maintain peace, stability and harmony across the atoll and carryout investigations into crimes and public complaints in a fair and friendly manner to deliver justice to the locals of the atoll. The station also helps other government authorities in fighting and preventing crime. The station is commanded by chief Station Inspector Ahmed Shameem.
The establishment of an NSS (National Security Service) also means that the armed forces of the Maldives established themselves in the island. However the police was separated from the armed forces (MNDF) in 2006. MNDF still operates in the island, but separated from police. They are mostly active in the area of Fire and Rescue, along with military duties. The Defense Institute for Training and Education, a part of MNDF occasionally conducts training programs for new recruits in the island.
[edit] Notable Events
On February 04, 2007 a fire at the Community Center burnt down the whole building. The fire started around 3:00 AM local time. The Regional Fire Services, Maldives Police Services along with locals contained the fire, almost 2 hours after the fire started. Although investigation was carried out by the Police, no reports were published. Police said that the most possible cause of the fire was an electrical short. However most locals believe that the fire was intentionally started given that President Gayyoom was scheduled to visit the island just two days after the fire.
On February 23, 2007 a fire started at the boat yard near the harbour.[14] The fire completely burnt 6 fiber glass dhows. 4 of these dhows were 100 feet and the remaining 2 were 40 feet long. This fire also started around 03:40 AM local time. Fire was first spotted, instantly after the fire started by a local fisherman. The Fire Service was called immediately. But since fiber glass resin is highly flammable, and there was no sprinkler system, the fire spread to the 6 dhows and the fiber glass resin barrels in the yard. It took the fire personnel, Maldives National Defence Force and local 2 hours to contain the fire. A forensics team of the Maldive Police Service did the investigation. All the dhows were insured. In an interview with media, the atoll chief said the loss is estimated to be around MRF 20 Million, although insurance companies never publicly disclosed the figures. This fire is said to be the worst fire in the history of the island.
[edit] History
Little is known about the history of Fua Mulaku. All that remains are some landmarks of the historical past. These include a much damaged Buddhist stupa known locally as Havitta. Its actual shape has been lost because of the damage done by careless diggings to find valuable artifacts or for bungled research purposes. The ruin is about 40 feet in height and it looks like a small hill. A smaller mound, about 15 feet in height, is located near the Havitta.
An ancient local poem says: "Havitta uhe haudahau, Redin taneke hedi ihau". This poem gives us the clue about the name Redin. Thor Heyerdahl erroneously claimed that Redin were people coming from somewhere else, but according to Magieduruge Ibrahim Didi, a learned man from this island, it was the name which the converted Maldivians called their infidel (ghairu dīn) ancestors after the general conversion to Islam. (Thor Heyerdahl visited this island and wrote a book which is named 'Fua Mulaku' in its German edition.)
There is also the Vasho-Veyo, an ancient circular bath with stone steps. This stone pool reveals great craftsmanship in the cutting of Porites coral stone (hirigal) by the locals.
Among the monuments of the Islamic period, the most important is Gemmiskki, a neat compound including a coral stone mosque, an ancient graveyard and a well. It is located in the northern end of the island. Gemmiskki is said to be the oldest mosque in Fuvammulah.
This island is known by geographers as Fua Mulaku. This name is more widely known internationally. The origin of this name is in the ancient local poem Rashoveshi where the name of the island in the first line is in the vocative: "Fua Mulaku nan ivē medu adi fen heu rashē..."
The island was depopulated and resettled twice in the last thousand years owing to lethal epidemics. The last time the survivors of the epidemic went to Addu Atoll and stayed there for a few years.
One historical characteristic of this island is that only members of the Maldive Royal family or belonging to the very high nobility were exiled to Fua Mulaku. During long exiles, some nobles married local ladies. This accounts for the many families in Fua Mulaku that claim noble descent by having the title 'Dīdī' appended to their names.
During the secession of the Southern Atolls from the North (1959-1963), Fua Mulaku was part of the Suvadive Islands. Nothing eventful happened during those years except that once a boat (Elizabeth Boyer) with soldiers from Male' sent by the central government tried to disembark unsuccessfully at Rasgefanno. The island people gathered at the beach and threw stones to the soldiers. The latter fired and one man of the island died instantly. The bullet hit him in the head and his skull burst open. Two islanders who were seriously wounded by gun shots were ferried by dōni the same day, to Gan, in Addu Atoll. The British, who were stationed in Gan sent them by air to Ceylon for treatment.
[edit] Natural Phenomena
There is a beautiful broad sandy beach at the northernmost point of Fuvammulah in the district of Dhadimago. It is locally known as "Thūndu" (In official Dhivehi "thundi"). Its sands are formed by white small round pebbles, which are unusually smooth and shiny. It used to be common for an annual phenomenon called Bissaaveli to form at the Thūndu. The Bissaaveli forms when part of the sand of the beach moves away from the shore towards the edge of the reef, thus creating a lagoon, enclosed by sand and the shore of the island. This natural event attracts hundreds - possibly thousands - of locals who love to go to watch it. When it is well-formed, the Bissaveli is enclosed from all sides, creating a natural shallow swimming pool where locals like to swim. However, since the construction of the Fuvammulah harbor began in 2000, this phenomenon has not occurred. It is believed that the construction of harbor somehow affected the current patterns around the island which previously caused this natural phenomenon.
Another natural phenomenon called Kalho-Akiri (meaning "Black Pebbles") occurs in the south-east shore of the island. This area only has black pebbles, quite unusual to the normal white coral sand beaches of the Maldives. However, the construction of a harbor has adversely affected this phenomenon as well.
Every year, towards the end of the SW monsoon season, flying fish (Hulhammaha) come to the northwestern shore of Fua Mulaku. Confused by the number of voracious tuna shoals in the water and by aggressive frigate birds hunting them from the air, the flying fish would end up flying close to the beach. They mostly endup in the area between Thoondu and Dhadimago fanno area where this phenomenon is most common. Men, women and children like to go down to the reef to catch the flying fishes by hand in the midst of a joyful atmosphere. Large crowds will gather in the beaches for what the locals called " Hulhammaha Hifun".
[edit] Notables
Many figures from Fuvammulah have had been leaders in politics, religion and in business since early times. One of the most notable figures is the all-time famous Dhivehi poet Mohammad Jamaaluddeen, also known as Naibu-Thutthu. He wrote several raivaru (Maldive couplets) books. These raivarus are still taught and examined in schools, as part of Dhivehi language module. Not only was he good at literature, but also was appointed as chief justice.
Another important figure from Fuvammulah is the Independence hero of Maldives, Former President Ibrahim Nasir, who maternally belongs to Fuvammulah. Nasir was born in Fuvammulah in the district of Dhadimago and is said to have lived there until he became 15. The older people in Fuvammulah still have memories of Nasir as a kid and they call him "Our Nasir".
The former chief justice Ustaz Mohamed Rasheed Ibrahim is also from Fuvammulah. He was also the president of Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs. Dr.Mohamed Zahir Hussain, Founder of the most popular daily newspaper Haveeru and former minister is also a native Fuvammulah citizen. Among other notables from the island include the former Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Ibrahim Rafeeq, former Minister of Communication as well as Minister of Justice, Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed and Editor in Chief of Haveeru Daily and Haveeru Online, Dr.Ali Rafeeq.
[edit] References
- H.C.P. Bell, The Maldive Islands, An account of the physical features, History, Inhabitants, Productions and Trade. Colombo 1883, ISBN 81 206 1222 1
- Xavier Romero-Frias, The Maldive Islanders, A Study of the Popular Culture of an Ancient Ocean Kingdom. Barcelona 1999, ISBN 84 7254 801 5
