Maldives Art Celebrates History Through Vibrant Colors

On the island of Thulhaadhoo in Baa Atoll, the practice of Liye Laajehun — the art of wooden lacquerware — has been passed down through generations. This craft, which involves coating wooden objects with layers of lacquer and then carving them to reveal intricate patterns, is one of roughly 40 traditional craft items still produced across the Maldives, according to a survey of Island Chiefs. While the country is often framed solely through its overwater villas and sandbanks, a parallel world of artistic production exists on its local islands, from the goldsmiths of Rin’budhoo to the mat weavers of Gadhdhoo. This article moves beyond the resort perimeter to explore the visual culture, music, and handcrafted traditions that define Maldivian identity.

Understanding where to find these traditions requires some navigation. Most craft islands are accessible only by speedboat or domestic ferry, and workshop visits are rarely signposted from resort concierge desks. The sections below cover the main artistic hubs, the practical logistics of visiting them, and the cultural context that gives each craft its meaning.

Mapping the Maldives’ artistic geography

The Maldives’ creative output is not concentrated in Malé. It is distributed across atolls, each island historically specialising in a single material or technique. Thulhaadhoo in Baa Atoll is the birthplace of lacquerware. Gadhdhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll is where mat making, predominantly a women-driven craft, flourishes. Rin’budhoo in Dhaalu Atoll is celebrated for its skilled goldsmiths, while nearby Hulhudeli is renowned for its silversmiths. This specialisation means that seeing the full range of Maldivian craft requires island-hopping, not a single stop.

The distance between these islands is not trivial. Thulhaadhoo is roughly a 45-minute speedboat ride from the Baa Atoll resort zone, while Gadhdhoo lies several hours south of Malé by domestic flight and then a further dhoni ride. A traveller attempting to visit multiple craft islands in a single trip would need to factor in overnight stays on local islands, where accommodation options are limited compared to resort islands. The payoff is access to workshops where makers still use techniques that predate tourism.

Where to see Maldivian art in person

Thulhaadhoo: the lacquerware island

Thulhaadhoo’s lacquerware tradition, known locally as Liyelaa Jehun, involves coating wooden objects — bowls, vases, boxes — with layers of lacquer derived from natural resins. In the early days, lacquerware paint was created using limestone, though modern makers have shifted to synthetic pigments for brighter colours and faster drying times. The process is slow: each layer must dry before the next is applied, and the final carving reveals contrasting colours beneath the surface. Visitors can watch the process in family-run workshops, but there is no formal visitor centre or scheduled tour — you simply show up and ask. The island has no resort accommodation, so day trips from Baa Atoll resorts or a homestay on the island itself are the only options.

Gadhdhoo and the Thundu Kunaa tradition

Mat making on Gadhdhoo is a women-driven craft that produces the Thundu Kunaa, a finely woven mat traditionally exchanged as gifts during special occasions. The reeds are dried under the tropical sun and dyed in vibrant colours before being hand-woven into geometric patterns. Unlike the lacquerware of Thulhaadhoo, which has a visible workshop culture, mat weaving on Gadhdhoo happens inside homes and is less visible to passing visitors. Arranging a visit typically requires a local contact or a guide from the nearby Equatorial Dive Centre. The mats themselves are lightweight and pack flat, making them one of the more practical souvenirs to transport.

Malé’s gallery scene

The capital offers the most accessible entry point. Malé’s National Art Gallery hosts residencies for Maldivian and international artists, while Art Gallery Malé displays a new local artist each month. Ahmed Shaffan, who heads the Maldivian Artist Community NGO, has work hanging at the Hard Rock Hotel, Ellie’s Cuisine, and the Maagiri Hotel. His 182-foot-long mural at the Hard Rock Hotel is the largest in the country. These venues are walkable within Malé’s compact grid, but the city’s traffic and heat make morning visits more practical. The galleries are small — expect to spend 20–30 minutes at each.

Planning your art-focused itinerary

The main constraint on any craft-focused trip is transport. Speedboats are fast but expensive; public ferries are cheap but infrequent. A day trip from Malé to Thulhaadhoo, for example, requires a 45-minute speedboat each way and coordination with a resort or private operator. The surf season runs from March to October, which also brings higher demand for boat charters, so booking transport in advance is advisable during those months.

If you are short on time, Malé itself offers a condensed version of Maldivian art. The National Art Gallery and Art Gallery Malé are within a 10-minute walk of each other, and Ahmed Shaffan’s murals at the Hard Rock Hotel and Maagiri Hotel are a short taxi ride away. For a deeper dive, the Oaga Art Resort in North Malé Atoll runs an Art Studio and Workshops where guests can try lacquerware techniques under instruction — a useful option for travellers who cannot reach Thulhaadhoo.

On the ground: music, belief, and daily practice

Bodu Beru and the sound of the islands

Bodu Beru, meaning “big drum,” is the most iconic form of Maldivian music. Performances involve a lead singer, a chorus, and drummers playing a large wooden drum. The rhythm starts slow and accelerates, often continuing for an hour or more. The tradition has roots in East African maritime trade, and the lyrics — sung in Dhivehi — frequently reference love, loss, and the sea. Thaara, influenced by Arabian musical traditions, involves rhythmic clapping and chanting, while Gaa Odi Lava is a dramatic dance originally performed by labourers to celebrate the completion of a project. These performances are staged at resort cultural nights, but the more authentic versions happen on local islands during festivals and weddings — events that are not advertised to tourists.

Fanditha and the spiritual landscape

Many Maldivians believe in supernatural beings called Fanditha spirits, a belief system that predates the country’s conversion to Islam in the 12th century. The legend of Rannamaari tells of a sea demon that terrorised Malé until it was vanquished by a learned Islamic scholar. These stories are not museum pieces — they inform daily practices, from the placement of doorways to the timing of fishing trips. Visitors are unlikely to encounter Fanditha beliefs directly, but understanding their presence explains certain local behaviours, such as the reluctance to build near certain coastal areas or the use of specific chants before launching a boat.

Kasabu and contemporary craft

Aishath Shiran, a Maldivian artisan, makes kasabu — traditional dresses — and creates jewellery using the same skills and methods. Her work represents a bridge between heritage craft and contemporary fashion, a space where traditional techniques are adapted for modern wear. The kasabu is characterised by intricate hand-stitching and embroidery, often in gold or silver thread, and is worn during weddings and Eid celebrations. For travellers interested in purchasing kasabu, the best option is to visit local markets in Malé or contact artisans directly through social media — the craft is not widely commercialised through resort gift shops.

Maldives art: your questions answered

Can I buy authentic Maldivian lacquerware outside Thulhaadhoo?

Yes, but the selection is limited. Malé’s local market occasionally stocks lacquerware bowls and boxes, though the quality and price vary. The most reliable source remains Thulhaadhoo itself, where you buy directly from the maker. Expect to pay between $20 and $80 depending on size and complexity.

Is it possible to visit a craft island as a day trip from a resort?

It depends on the resort’s location. Resorts in Baa Atoll can arrange day trips to Thulhaadhoo, which is a 20-minute speedboat ride from Himmafushi. Resorts in South Malé Atoll face a longer journey — two hours or more each way — which makes a day trip impractical. Check with your resort’s excursion desk before booking.

What is the biggest limitation of visiting local islands for art?

Infrastructure. Most craft islands have no tourist facilities — no cafes, no restrooms for visitors, no signposted workshops. You are reliant on the hospitality of the makers themselves, who may not speak English fluently. Hiring a guide from Malé or a nearby resort island mitigates this, but adds cost.

Are there any contemporary Maldivian artists working in non-traditional media?

Yes. Ahmed Shaffan works in large-scale mural painting and has exhibited internationally. The National Art Gallery in Malé regularly features contemporary Maldivian artists working in photography, installation, and digital media. Art Gallery Malé’s monthly rotation ensures that new voices are consistently represented.

When is the best time to see Bodu Beru performances on local islands?

During Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, when local islands hold nightly celebrations that include Bodu Beru, Thaara, and Gaa Odi Lava. These events are not tourist-oriented, but respectful visitors are generally welcome. The Eid festival in the Maldives offers the most concentrated window for experiencing live traditional performance outside of resort settings.

The Maldives’ artistic traditions do not conform to the resort experience. They are dispersed, unpolished, and require effort to access. That effort is rewarded with encounters that feel unmediated — watching a goldsmith shape a ring on Rin’budhoo, or standing in front of Shaffan’s 182-foot mural, knowing it was painted by someone who grew up on these islands. For the traveller willing to step off the speedboat and onto the local jetty, the art of the Maldives offers something the overwater villa cannot: a direct line to the culture that existed before tourism arrived.

Sources and further reading

Painting the island: The artist putting Maldivian culture on the map. CNN, 2021.

Crafted Splendour: Unveiling Artistic Tradition in the Maldives. Secret Paradise, 2023.

A Deep Dive into Maldivian Culture and Art. Oaga Resorts, 2024.