Music has a curious effect on people. It mesmerizes us with its lyrical melodies and helps us tune the rest of the world out. Its rhythms and tunes create melodies that lift us up after a hard day’s work. The impact of music worldwide is evident in the different types and strains of harmonies that we hear every day and whilst rock and hip hop are popular in the west, the eastern countries have their own unique forms of music.
The Boduberu music, a kind of folk music that is enthusiastically played by the people of Maldives, is one such folk music which is unique in its own way. Even though the manner in which it is played is similar to lyrical tunes found in Africa, boduberu is enjoyed greatly by the Maldivians and comes with its own costume of a sarong and a white shirt. The melodies are created by thumping on instruments made of hollowed out coconut wood and small pieces of bamboo with one singer singing lead and a chorus of around ten others. It has its own pace, beginning with a slow beat and gently progressing towards a quick and rising crescendo and is accompanied by its own tribal dance introduced by sailors travelling in the Indian Ocean. Boduberu is inherently infectious and before very long has the bystanders too joining in by clapping, dancing and singing along merrily.
Centuries ago, not much sense was said when singing along with this type of music for most of the time, the lyrics were senseless, but at present, songs with meaningful lyrics have been written and sung. In modern day Maldives, Boduberu is often showcased at most celebrations, festivals and shows and therefore, if you are in the Maldives, try and fit in some of these festivals to have a taste of the unique culture of the people.
When visiting this small cluster of islands in the Indian Ocean, it goes without saying that Maldives island resorts are truly spectacular in terms of their service and location. Naladhu Maldives, meaning ‘beautiful island’ is an exclusive Maldives hotel where one can opt to stay at that can only be described as paradise.
Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
