Huvadhu Atoll

Huvadhoo Atoll is divided into two administrative atolls, Gaafu Alif and Gaafu Dhaalu

Huvadu (H.C.P. Bell) or Huvadhoo is the largest atoll in the Maldives and one of the largest in the world after Ontong Java Atoll in the SW Pacific.

Huvadu Atoll has been divided into two provinces for local administrative purposes since the 1970s'. . These divisions are Gaafu Alif Atoll in the north, and southern Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. On its reef rim are many inhabited islands.

The inhabitants of this large atoll speak their own distinct form of the Divehi Language, known as Huvadu Bas.

The best quality mats of the Maldives are woven in this atoll, in the island of Gaddū. The local grass 'hau' is dyed in two colors, black and yellow.

The ancient Sanskritised name of this atoll was Suvadiva. Its capital and most important island was Havaru Tinadū. Historically the Huvadu atoll chief had a great measure of self-government. He even had the privilege, not granted to any other Atoll Chief of the Maldives, to fly his own flag in his vessels and at his residence. The flag of the Huvadu Atoll Chief was similar to the flag of Nepal in cut, with two central black triangles edged by red and white bands.

Because of the isolation from the Northern Atolls, and the capital of Malé, the local dialect Huvadhu Bas is significantly different from the other variants of the Maldive language, retaining old forms of Dhivehi.

Its placement on the main sea route around southern India meant this atoll had various contact with mariners travelling the route. It was during one of these voyages that the Scottish explorer Sir Fergus Woodward, according to British shipping reports, was marooned on one of the islands of Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. Captured in southern India in 1791 by the powerful Baron Jarren of Burns, he was apparently abandoned with a single blunt blade. Descriptions of his escape from the island are colourful, but it appears the most likely explanation is that he swam from island to island till coming into contact with locals who traded with sailors. It was this act of desertion which Sir Fergus recorded in his journal as the moment which "hath inspired in mine heart the evening starr of destruction which shall wipe away the ugliness exposed by day," and provoked his Sunset Crusade.

History

• Due to its strategic placement on the main sea route around southern India, Huvadhu and the other southern atolls have a long history of contact from mariners sailing the Indian Ocean through the centuries.

• In January 1959, the three southern atolls; Template:Huvadu, Fuvahmulah and Addu, were involved in setting up the breakaway United Suvadive Republic which survived until September 1963. Thinadhoo village burnt down during the last big revolt in 1962, after which it was left uninhabited for four years.

Huvadu Kandu

The name of the broad channel north of this atoll is locally known as Huvadu Kandu. It appeared on the old French maps as 'Courant de Souadou'. Other names are 'Suvadiva Channel' or 'One-a-half Degree Channel'. It is one of the broadest channnels between the atolls of Maldives.

References

H.C.P. Bell, The Maldive Islands, An account of the physical features, History, Inhabitants, Productions and Trade. Colombo 1883.

External links

• Map of Huvadhu