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Dhivehi libaas

Dhivehi Libaas, the traditional Maldives dress is unique to the Maldives. Dhivehi libaas simply means Maldivian dress, the simplest of which is just called libaas. The ordinary libaas used to be the everyday attire of the ordinary folk, even as recently as forty years ago. The more sophisticated, boavalhu libaas seen here is embellished with a neckline trimmed with white and gold laces known as kasabu. These are hand-woven ribbons made of gold, silver and coloured threads.

Lacquered wooden ornaments

This traditional Maldivian craft is known as liye laajehun, liyun meaning shaping wood with hand tools, and laajehun which refers to the process of adorning the piece with designs using lacquer. The finest lacquer work is found on Thulhaadhoo, in Baa Atoll where the craft is practiced even today. Wooden containers, boxes and vases of all shapes and sizes display beautiful abstract patterns in red, black and yellow.

Thun’du kunaa

Thun’du kunaa is a hand-woven reed mat. Today these finely woven mats are one of the most popular souvenirs that visitors take home from the Maldives. However, in the past they were held in much higher esteem. Trimmed with gold lace work, the mats were often used as royal gifts made by the Sultans of Maldives to foreign emissaries.

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