Eggsquisitely Mythical #24: Maldives
- Dr. Fizza Younis
- Sep 25
- 5 min read
Hello, fellow eggs and mythology lovers!
For our next Eggsquisitely Mythical issue, we are doing a deep dive on the legends of Maldives.
Background
The Maldives, officially known as the Republic of Maldives, is a stunning archipelagic nation located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka and India. Comprising 26 natural atolls and over 1,000 coral islands, it’s renowned for its crystal-clear turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and vibrant marine life.
Malé is its political, economic, and cultural hub. Dhivehi is the official language, and English is widely spoken. The Maldives is one of the world’s most geographically dispersed countries and also the lowest-lying nation, making it especially vulnerable to climate change and rising sea levels. Despite its small size, it boasts a rich history, from ancient Buddhist roots to its Islamic transformation in the 12th century. With its warm, tropical weather, the Maldives is a paradise that blends natural beauty with a rich heritage.
Gods & Goddesses
Indra: The Maldives was historically known as Mahinda Dvipa (Islands of the Great God Indra). Indra, a major deity in Hinduism and Buddhism, was associated with the islands' creation and protection. Legends suggest he hid his lovers across the islands, contributing to the archipelago's mythical allure.
Shiva and Lakshmi: Archaeological evidence from the 8th or 9th century CE depicts Hindu deities like Shiva and Lakshmi, indicating their veneration during the pre-Islamic period. Lakshami’s worship aligns with the importance of trade and prosperity for an island nation.
Nature Deities and Early Worships
Nature Worship (Sun, Moon, Stars): Early Maldivians practiced a form of nature worship, venerating celestial bodies and natural elements. According to legends recorded by Allama Shihabuddine, the first settlers (Dheyvis) worshipped the sun, moon, and stars before the influence of organized religions.
The Coconut Tree and Tuna Fish: The coconut tree and tuna fish are central to Maldivian creation myths. According to the myths, the early settlers of the Maldives died in great numbers, and a powerful magician grew the coconut trees from their skulls. The tuna fish is believed to have been brought by the mythical seafarer Bodu Niyami Kalēfanu. It is thought that he went close to the Dagas (the mythical tree at the end of the world) to bring this valuable fish.
Evil Spirits and Mythical Creatures
Foolhudhigu Handi: A terrifying monster wrapped in its own umbilical cord, known for terrorizing humans. One story recounts its encounter with a woman named Aiminabi and her husband Hassan Thakuru, who ultimately defeat it.
Faru Furēta: Reef monsters originating from the ocean, often depicted as crude and malevolent beings.
Dagas: A mythical tree at the end of the world, associated with the origin of the tuna fish.
Mākana, Findana, Kalhubondage Diye: Heroic animals (e.g., fishes, crabs, seabirds) featured in folktales, often teaching moral lessons.
Sorcerers and Magical Figures
Fanḍita Veriyaa: Sorcerers or learned men skilled in magic (fanḍita), who acted as heroes protecting islanders from evil spirits. They held significant social status, though modern portrayals sometimes cast them as villains.
Oditan Kalēge: A mighty sorcerer based on the Hindu sage Vashishta, often depicted with his powerful wife, Dōgi Aihā.
Dōgi Aihā: the name Dōgi Aihā comes from the Sanskrit Yogini. She is a fiery-tempered sorceress derived from a Hindu figure.
Legends and Folklore
Handi Gandivaru Dhonkamana refers to a fearsome race of spirits, and the legend about them is a foundational monster-slaying story in Maldivian folklore, similar to tales of heroes defeating ogres or giants in other cultures.
These creatures are often described as huge, brutish, and covered in thick, dark hair. They are cannibals who hunt and eat humans. They are said to inhabit remote, wild parts of the islands or the ocean, emerging at night to terrorize villages. They are immensely strong and were a source of great fear, representing the dangers of the unknown and the wild.
Stories involving them serve as moral and cautionary tales, representing the triumph of intelligence and courage over brute strength, and the importance of protecting the community from external threats.
Santhi Mariyambu is a terrifying counterpart to the Western Tooth Fairy. Her legend serves as a cautionary tale primarily aimed at encouraging good behavior and hygiene in children. She is often depicted as a nocturnal demoness who visits children. She is a hideous, hunched woman with long, oily hair, sharp claws, and a ghostly presence. She carries a gunny sack full of teeth. She punishes children who neglect oral hygiene (e.g., go to bed without brushing their teeth) or who are disobedient. She is said to forcibly replace dirty teeth with new ones, but only if the child stays quiet.
Some analyses suggest her name may have a historical link to "Saint Mary," possibly introduced during the brief Portuguese colonial era and transformed over time through local storytelling into a more ominous character, blending external influences with pre-existing folk beliefs about spirits.
Kandumathi Elhun refers to the legend revolving around the paranormal events that occur at sea. These incidents may occur in various forms. From fishing boats and passenger ferries going off course or lost for an unprecedented amount of time at sea, to a ball of fire appearing out of nowhere, the sudden appearance of a floating corpse or coffins, a boat travelling for hours but actually staying in the same place, although the compass shows otherwise, or even the sudden appearance of uncharted islands.
According to the myth, "Kandumathi Elhun" occurs on nights when the sea is unnervingly calm. Sailors would find themselves surrounded by an otherworldly glow emanating from the ocean itself. And within that glow, they may witness paranormal happenings or creatures.
Safaru Kaiydha is a powerful folkloric figure who emerges from the sea on the tenth night of Safar. She marches inland, followed by dozens of children, and her power is absolute. Depending on her whim, her visit can be a blessing, bringing prosperity, or a terrible curse that causes crops to fail and despair to settle over the community. As a protective ritual, residents prepare for her arrival by concealing grinding stones and sealing their wells at nightfall, ensuring she cannot use these resources for her supernatural family.
Rannamaari tells the tale of a terrifying sea demon that plagued the ancient Maldives. To appease its wrath, a grim monthly ritual was enforced by the king. Each full moon, a young virgin was selected by lot, adorned in a simple white cloth, and left chained to a specific post at the eastern harbor of Malé as a sacrificial offering. By dawn, the girl would always be gone, presumed devoured by the monster. This cycle of sacrifice continued for generations, creating a reign of terror, until it was famously broken by a foreign visitor who exposed the truth and ended the practice.
The myth is a powerful remnant of the pre-Islamic animist and Buddhist periods in the Maldives, reflecting a worldview where nature spirits and demons needed to be appeased. It is more than a simple monster tale; it is a foundational legend about fear, sacrifice, and the cultural transformation that defined the nation's history.
Avattehi is a ghostly maid who shows up after dark to tidy your house. This shape-shifting spirit is said to appear as a woman with long, flowing hair, and she gets to work only once everyone in the house is fast asleep. But you can’t just ask her for help. Dealing with an Avattehi is all about reverse psychology. If you want your floors swept, you have to say out loud, "Please, Avattehi, don’t you dare sweep these floors tonight!" If you directly ask her, or worse, try to thank her, she’ll vanish for good. She’s the ultimate "I’m not doing it because you told me to" spirit. Fish scraps are her price for helping people.
That concludes today's discussion about the legends of the Maldives. We hope you enjoyed learning about them!
Check out these other articles written by former team members:
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