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Travel Tips

Experience the Maldives Culture Through Music and Dance

By Centara Hotels & Resorts

Music and dance are deeply rooted in Maldivian culture and intertwined with the rhythm of island life. From the hypnotic beats of the body beru drums to the elegant hand gestures of langiri performances, the traditional music and dance of the Maldives offer a glimpse into the heart of its people. Experience Maldivian culture and hospitality when you stay at Centara’s all-inclusive resorts in the Maldives.

Traditional Musical Instruments

Maldivian music is characterised by its strong rhythm and use of traditional instruments, including:

Bodu Beru Drums: Made from coconut trunks and covered in goatskin or manta ray skin, these large drums produce deep, resonant beats that lead most traditional dances.

Bamboo Flutes: Light and airy, they often accompany singing during quieter moments of ceremonial performances.

Coconut Shell Percussion: Adds texture and syncopation to the rhythm.

Bell-like Cymbals and Small Drums: These are used during more upbeat dances such as the thaara.

The Role of Music in Maldivian Life

Music in the Maldives is a form of expression woven into daily life. Songs are traditionally performed to celebrate weddings, religious holidays, and local festivals. Rhythms reflect the pace of the sea, while lyrics often recount island folklore or pay tribute to ancestral spirits. In modern times, resorts and cultural centres contribute to preserving and showcasing these traditions.

What Is Maldivian Traditional Dance?

The Maldives Island’s cultural dance is rooted in community and storytelling. Performances reflect local history, mythology, or social practices and traditions, and are often performed during public celebrations and gatherings. The most prominent styles of cultural dance in the Maldives include:

Bodu Beru

Bodu beru translates to “big drum” and is centred around a large, barrel-shaped drum. This is the most iconic and widely performed dance. It begins slowly with singing and light, meditative drumming, building into an energetic tempo and a crescendo of movement and rhythm. Dancers sway, stomp, and spin in time with the drums, creating an immersive, trance-like performance.

Dhandi Jehun

Dhandi Jehun is a coordinated stick dance performed during festive occasions, cultural events, and celebrations in the Maldives. Each atoll has its own version of this folk dance. During the dance, the lead singer usually sings while the others sing in chorus and dance to the beat of the song.

Thaara

An energetic dance performed by 22 males seated in two rows, dancing and singing, accompanied by tambourines. It is particularly popular during Eid and community celebrations.

Bandiyaa Jehun

A lively woman’s folk dance using metal water pots as percussion and dance props. Dancers wear rings on their fingers to produce sound when tapping on the pots.

Langiri

A traditional dance from Kinbidhoo featuring graceful movements by women, conveying stories and emotions, and accompanied by traditional Maldivian music.

What Makes Maldivian Dance Unique?

Maldivian dances are known for their expressive movements and symbolic storytelling. They are performed with precise rhythm, as drumbeats guide the dancers’ movements. They are also often performed in groups in public spaces, and the group chorus adds a communal vocal element, strengthening social bonds and showcasing the community spirit. The dancers wear vibrant fabrics and bright accessories that reflect their identity and ceremonial significance.

Where to Experience Maldivian Culture

Stay at any of Centara Hotels & Resorts’ stunning island destinations in the Maldives and witness cultural music and dance. Traditional shows and dance performances are regular features of the resort, offering guests a taste of the authentic Maldivian experience.

Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection, is an all-inclusive resort with easy access to world-famous dive sites, a protected reserve house reef, a family-friendly entertainment hub, elegant above water villas directly in the Indian Ocean, and an unparalleled island lifestyle.

Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives is an adults-only resort offering an idyllic island retreat with intimate private villas, exciting watersport adventures, and specialty restaurants serving exquisite cuisine. Spice up your evenings with themed nights, live music, and cultural performances.

The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts is a groundbreaking multi-island, 5-star destination that provides access to the tranquil, sophisticated Centara Grand Lagoon Resort Maldives and the family-centric, underwater-themed Centara Mirage Lagoon Resort Maldives.

Each resort offers distinct yet memorable experiences and Centara Hotels & Resorts’ signature world-class hospitality. Savour exceptional dining, exhilarating water activities, and award-winning spa treatments amidst a unique resort-on-water setting in the Maldives Islands. Book a stay today.

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