The Rise of Maldivian Literature: Voices Shaping a Nation’s Identity

On a quiet evening in Malé, a group of writers and linguists gathered virtually in September 2021 to discuss something that rarely makes it into a resort brochure: the state of Maldivian literature. The event, organised by the Asian Literary Society, featured speakers like Ahmed Tholal and Iyaz Naseem, who laid out the contours of a literary tradition that most visitors never encounter. The Dhivehi language, as Naseem explained, shares lexical cognates with Hindi and Bangla — a linguistic thread connecting these islands to the South Asian mainland in ways that surprise most first-time travellers.

This article covers the voices shaping Maldivian literature today — from ancient oral myths about coconut trees sprouting from human skulls to contemporary writers navigating the tension between Dhivehi and English. Understanding this literary landscape matters if you want to see the Maldives beyond the overwater bungalow.

Mapping the Literary Landscape of the Maldives

The Maldives is the most dispersed country in the world, and that geography shapes everything about its literature.

Shafee Shafeeq, a freelance digital artist and writer who spoke at the Asia Forum event, pointed out that the Dhivehi language comes from Sanskrit and is closely related to languages from South India and Sri Lanka. Because the islands are spread across hundreds of kilometres, dialects vary noticeably — particularly in the southern atolls — and cultural traditions shift from island to island. What this means for a visitor is that the Maldives you experience on a resort island is a narrow slice of a much more complex cultural reality.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, in his address marking National Writers’ Day on 8 July 2024, reminded writers of their role in shaping national identity. He noted that the first publication in the Maldives, Al Islaahu, was released on that date in 1933 — a newspaper whose name means “to improve.” The president urged writers to champion their religion, nation, and identity, warning that “reckless writing continues to damage societies.” It’s a reminder that literature here carries weight beyond entertainment.

Where Maldivian Literature Lives: Oral Traditions, Children’s Books, and Contemporary Voices

Ancient Folklore and the Stories That Shaped the Islands

Maldivian folklore is ancient, and much of it originates from South Indian oral myths. Shafeeq narrated two origin stories during the Asia Forum that give a sense of how these islands explain their world. The first coconut trees, the myth goes, came from the skulls of the first settlers who died of hunger — a fanditha veryiyaa, or sorcerer, used magic to grow them. The three holes on a coconut shell represent the skull from which it came. The story of the first tuna involves a maalimee — a master navigator — who travelled to the end of the world to find a magical tree called Dagas, bringing tuna back to save his people from starvation. These stories are not quaint relics; they encode the relationship between Maldivians and the sea, a connection that remains central to daily life. The end times in these myths are always depicted by the submersion of the islands — a prophecy that feels uncomfortably relevant today.

Children’s Literature and the Fight for Dhivehi

Aminath Shareehan Ibrahim, who spoke at the same event, discussed the state of Maldivian children’s literature and its positive impact on how younger generations perceive written Dhivehi works. Shafeeq contributes to this space with illustrated books aimed at children aged roughly 6 to 9, each around 500 words, featuring anthropomorphised animals that depict human behaviour. These stories are comical and carry moral values, often accompanied by Dhivehi poetry. But the challenges are real. The writers voiced a concern shared by many parents: there are too few Dhivehi books available, and children are slowly veering away from the language due to foreign cultural influences. The writers believe the oral tradition of Maldivian folklore should be preserved — but preservation requires readers.

Contemporary Writers and the National Stage

Ahmed Tholal, a lecturer of linguistics, spoke at the Asia Forum about the importance of writing screenplays in the Maldives and about contemporary literature more broadly. Iyaz Naseem provided a linguistic account of Dhivehi, discussing its lexical cognates with Hindi and Bangla and the linguistic diversity across the atolls. President Muizzu’s Writers’ Day address added a political dimension, framing literature as a matter of faith and national duty. He observed that many political leaders reach the presidency through the manifestos they craft — underscoring the power of the written word to inspire and guide. For a visitor, this context makes clear that Maldivian literature is not a quiet academic corner; it’s a space where national identity is actively being negotiated.

Practical Planning for the Literature-Minded Traveller

Engaging with Maldivian literature requires more planning than booking a snorkelling trip.

Getting to the Books

Malé is the hub. The National Library is a short walk from the ferry terminal, and a few independent bookshops cluster in the centre of the island. If you’re staying on a resort, you’ll need to arrange a day trip to Malé — most resorts offer this, but check the schedule, as many depart early and return by late afternoon. The library’s hours are typically 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, which means you have a narrow window.

When to Visit for Literary Events

National Writers’ Day falls on 8 July each year, and events in Malé often include readings, panel discussions, and book launches. The Asia Forum event in September 2021 was virtual, but future iterations may include in-person components. If your trip coincides with either date, you can attend events that rarely appear on tourist itineraries. The tradeoff: July is the wet season, with heavier rain and stronger winds, so you’ll trade beach time for cultural access.

On the Ground: What to Know About Language, Preservation, and Local Customs

The Dhivehi Language and Its Challenges

Dhivehi is a language under pressure. The writers at the Asia Forum voiced concern that children are veering away from it due to foreign cultural influences — a pattern familiar across small language communities worldwide. The dispersed nature of the islands means that dialect differences, particularly in the southern atolls, add another layer of complexity. For a traveller, learning a few Dhivehi phrases — shukuriyaa (thank you), varah (goodbye) — is a small gesture that locals appreciate, but don’t expect to find many books in English about Maldivian culture beyond the academic sphere.

Preservation Efforts and What Visitors Can Do

The writers at the Asia Forum believe the Dhivehi language and the oral tradition of Maldivian folklore should be preserved. President Muizzu echoed this in his Writers’ Day address, acknowledging writers’ responsibility to preserve the language and recognising the enduring significance of historical words and dates. For a visitor, the most practical way to support this is to buy a locally published book — even if you can’t read it — from a Malé bookshop. The revenue supports local authors and publishers. Alternatively, follow Maldivian writers on social media; many share poetry and short stories in both Dhivehi and English.

Maldivian Literature: Your Questions Answered

Is Maldivian literature available in English?

Very little. Most contemporary works, including Shafeeq’s children’s books, are published in Dhivehi only. Academic papers and event recordings from groups like the Asian Literary Society are the most accessible English-language resources.

The National Library in Malé holds a small English section, but it focuses on general reference rather than Maldivian literary works. If you don’t read Dhivehi, you’ll need to engage through secondary sources.

What are the main themes in Maldivian writing?

Oral folklore dominates the traditional side — origin myths about coconut trees and tuna, stories of fanditha veryiyaa (sorcerers) and maalimee (master navigators). Contemporary writers tackle national identity, religion, and the tension between foreign influence and cultural preservation.

President Muizzu’s Writers’ Day address framed literature as a tool for shaping faith and national character, which reflects a broader push to use writing as a vehicle for social and political cohesion.

Where can I find Maldivian books to buy?

Independent bookshops in Malé and Hulhumalé carry the best selection. The National Library in Malé also sells some publications. Online, writers like Shafeeq share their work through social media channels.

The limitation is real: most books are in Dhivehi, and stock is small. If you’re serious about finding something, ask at the library or contact the Asian Literary Society for recommendations.

Why is language preservation a concern in the Maldives?

Parents and writers alike worry that children are veering away from Dhivehi due to foreign cultural influences — English-language media, tourism, and international schooling. The writers at the Asia Forum emphasised that the oral tradition of Maldivian folklore should be preserved, but fewer young readers means fewer people to carry those stories forward.

The dialect differences across the southern atolls add complexity; preserving one standardised Dhivehi doesn’t capture the full linguistic diversity of the country.

Does the government support Maldivian writers?

President Muizzu’s National Writers’ Day address in July 2024 explicitly called on writers to champion religion, nation, and identity, and acknowledged their responsibility to preserve the language. The government recognises the power of the written word to shape society.

That said, practical support — funding for publishing, translation grants, and literary festivals — remains limited. The writers’ community largely operates through grassroots efforts and academic partnerships.

One Last Thought

The next time you crack open a coconut on a Maldivian beach, consider this: according to the oldest stories told on these islands, those three holes on the shell are the eye sockets and mouth of a human skull — a reminder that survival here has always been precarious, and that the sea gives and takes in equal measure. That tension, between abundance and loss, runs through every page of Maldivian literature, from ancient myth to the latest Dhivehi children’s book. Fishing traditions are more than a livelihood — they’re the thread that connects these stories to the daily reality of island life.

Sources and further reading

Asia Forum Chapter 11: Maldives Report. Asian Literary Society, 2021.

President Muizzu urges writers to champion religion, nation, and identity on Writers’ Day. Plus MV, 2024.