Ihavandhoo (Haa Alif Atoll)
Encyclopedia
Ihavandhoo is a typical island in Maldives. The first settlers of the island were a mystery to historians. It is believed that they are early Maldivian settlers dating back to 5th century BC with the Aryan immigrants coming from neighboring countries India and Srilanka. The island had maintained its uniqueness like that of many other islands in the Maldives; its culture, traditions, language and religion had been as of any other island in Maldives.
The story of Mohamed Thakurufaanu (Boduthankurufaanu), the Maldivian hero who defeated the Portuguese rule in Maldives, reveals that mother of Mohamed Thakurufaanu was an Ihavandhoo lady. According to history, Portuguese conquered Maldives and ruled brutally for more than 17 years until the national hero defeated them by fighting in a miraculous sea boat called Kalhuohfunmi.Today, Maldivians commemorate National Day in remembrance of Mohamed Thakufaanu whose mother hail from the historical land of Ihavandhoo.
In Maldivian History, little has been written about Ihavandhoo. One of the available books was written by Maldives prominent historian Mr.Mohamed Ibrahim Luthufy in his famous history book “Dhivehi Raajjeyge Geographyge Vanavaru” (The Geographical Atlas of Maldives), in which he mentioned about the physical of the people of Ihavandhoo.
The island has a mosque built by Sultan Ibrahim Muhirudheen on 16 December 1701 using brain corals. The mosque was later refurbished and upgraded but its origin maintained as the mosque is the only archaeological evidence in Ihavandhoo island.
Ihavandhoo also accounts for the countries export of Tuna (chilled and frozen) and dried fish. Dried and salted fish is an export product of Ihavandhoo. Tuna are boiled and dried in the sun and then sold to buyers in Male. Another famous byproduct is Rihaakuru, the traditional fish soup which is rich in proteins and a good source of income for the islanders.
In addition to this, fish also plays an imminent role in the diet of this community. Fish is a very nutritious diet (rich in proteins) which plays an important role in Maldivian dishes.
Today a large number of fishing boats are being constructed in the island, most large vessels with much capacity for holding stocks of tuna with RSW freezing system built in the boat and sophisticated engines boost the performance of these locally build vessels.
Lump sum amounts of money are invested on these ventures. Most of the boats build during the last five years were built of fiberglass. The fishermen experience that boats build of fiberglass have longer life and is speedier that that of wood.
During the past years, fish catch has increased rapidly. The island Huvahandhoo was leased to Jausa Fisheries Link (a government licensed private sector fisheries investor ). The investment is still lacking its credibility. The fishermen hopes that their catch will be sold easily. The government owned fisheries company Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company also operates in the region.
A lot of land (immeasurable) has been washed away from the northern side of the island and North West side of the island. Neither protective measures nor precaution has been taken .Ihavandhoo Development Society has noted that this problem is a big problem, but people of the island does not understand its severity. They have no knowledge of what is happening in their environment which will affect their lives as well as their children. Some of the recent pictures taken by IDS shows a lot of land from the island has been eroded away and is continuing to do so, unless otherwise some steps need to be taken in order to prevent this harmful phenomenon.
Maldives Environment Research Centre stated in its website that Ihavandhoo has faced this problem many times. According to the official website of MERC, here goes the natural events which hit Ihavandhoo;
28 May 1994 Rain storm
6 November 1993 Rain storm
29 May 1991 Rain storm
10 September 2001 Erosion
17 July 2001 Erosion
16 October 2000 Erosion
A harbour has been dug to solve the problem of getting in to the island. An area of 141500 sq.feet was dredged in 1992. The harbour has been repaired in 2000. This harbour plays an important role in the economy of the island especially the fact that majority of the islands working population are fishermen who had to use the harbour everyday.
The harbour again has faced a lot of problems especially from the rough weather conditions. It has now been damaged severely. Fishermen experience difficulty in getting in to boats and have to stay awake during nights safeguarding their boats if the weather is windy.
Island Code A7
Length 880m
Width 860m
Location 72°56'E 6°57'N
Distance from Male 312.83 km
Population 2707
Male population 1367
female population 1340
Economic Activities: fishing, viewing
Shops (Private)30
Fast Foods/Tea Shops 4
Tailors 14
Carpentries 6
Pharmacy (Pvt.) 2
Engine Repair Workshops 2
Vehicle Repair Workshops 2
Island School
Govt. Owned 1
Highest Grade 12
Pre School
Private Owned 1
Tuition Classes
Private Owned 3
Health Center Govt 1
Nurses 7
Doctors 2
Commuity Health Worker 1
Family Health Worker 2
Mid Wives 3
Number of Boundary Marked House Plots 557
Number of Houses Boundary NOT Marked 20
Fully Built Households 228
Household NOT Fully Built 245
Mosques (Ladies)3
Mosques (Gents)4
Bicycle 325 Pvt (estimated)
Pickup 2
Mechanised Dhoni 40
Sathari Dhoni Travels Bet Male' and Atolls
Boats 3
Vadhu Dhoni Others
Rain Water Tanks (Public) 9
Rain Water Tanks (Private) 262
Number of Houses with Toilets 246
Number of Houses with Water Pumps 48
The story of Mohamed Thakurufaanu (Boduthankurufaanu), the Maldivian hero who defeated the Portuguese rule in Maldives, reveals that mother of Mohamed Thakurufaanu was an Ihavandhoo lady. According to history, Portuguese conquered Maldives and ruled brutally for more than 17 years until the national hero defeated them by fighting in a miraculous sea boat called Kalhuohfunmi.Today, Maldivians commemorate National Day in remembrance of Mohamed Thakufaanu whose mother hail from the historical land of Ihavandhoo.
In Maldivian History, little has been written about Ihavandhoo. One of the available books was written by Maldives prominent historian Mr.Mohamed Ibrahim Luthufy in his famous history book “Dhivehi Raajjeyge Geographyge Vanavaru” (The Geographical Atlas of Maldives), in which he mentioned about the physical of the people of Ihavandhoo.
The island has a mosque built by Sultan Ibrahim Muhirudheen on 16 December 1701 using brain corals. The mosque was later refurbished and upgraded but its origin maintained as the mosque is the only archaeological evidence in Ihavandhoo island.
Economy
Fishing is the backbone of the economy of Ihavandhoo.Traditionally, the island has been a pure fishing island. Majority of the working age group are experienced fishermen. Major types of fishing done by Ihavandhoo fishermen are pole and line fishing. Main types of tuna caught are skipjack tuna and kawakawa. Their main occupation being fishing, the community seemed getting better off.Ihavandhoo also accounts for the countries export of Tuna (chilled and frozen) and dried fish. Dried and salted fish is an export product of Ihavandhoo. Tuna are boiled and dried in the sun and then sold to buyers in Male. Another famous byproduct is Rihaakuru, the traditional fish soup which is rich in proteins and a good source of income for the islanders.
In addition to this, fish also plays an imminent role in the diet of this community. Fish is a very nutritious diet (rich in proteins) which plays an important role in Maldivian dishes.
Today a large number of fishing boats are being constructed in the island, most large vessels with much capacity for holding stocks of tuna with RSW freezing system built in the boat and sophisticated engines boost the performance of these locally build vessels.
Lump sum amounts of money are invested on these ventures. Most of the boats build during the last five years were built of fiberglass. The fishermen experience that boats build of fiberglass have longer life and is speedier that that of wood.
During the past years, fish catch has increased rapidly. The island Huvahandhoo was leased to Jausa Fisheries Link (a government licensed private sector fisheries investor ). The investment is still lacking its credibility. The fishermen hopes that their catch will be sold easily. The government owned fisheries company Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company also operates in the region.
Environment
Ihavandhoo has faced a lot of environmental challenges both brought up by nature and human beings. One of the major environmental problems faced by Ihavandhoo islanders has been soil erosion.A lot of land (immeasurable) has been washed away from the northern side of the island and North West side of the island. Neither protective measures nor precaution has been taken .Ihavandhoo Development Society has noted that this problem is a big problem, but people of the island does not understand its severity. They have no knowledge of what is happening in their environment which will affect their lives as well as their children. Some of the recent pictures taken by IDS shows a lot of land from the island has been eroded away and is continuing to do so, unless otherwise some steps need to be taken in order to prevent this harmful phenomenon.
Maldives Environment Research Centre stated in its website that Ihavandhoo has faced this problem many times. According to the official website of MERC, here goes the natural events which hit Ihavandhoo;
28 May 1994 Rain storm
6 November 1993 Rain storm
29 May 1991 Rain storm
10 September 2001 Erosion
17 July 2001 Erosion
16 October 2000 Erosion
A harbour has been dug to solve the problem of getting in to the island. An area of 141500 sq.feet was dredged in 1992. The harbour has been repaired in 2000. This harbour plays an important role in the economy of the island especially the fact that majority of the islands working population are fishermen who had to use the harbour everyday.
The harbour again has faced a lot of problems especially from the rough weather conditions. It has now been damaged severely. Fishermen experience difficulty in getting in to boats and have to stay awake during nights safeguarding their boats if the weather is windy.
Ihavandhoo In Statistics
Area 60.54 hectaresIsland Code A7
Length 880m
Width 860m
Location 72°56'E 6°57'N
Distance from Male 312.83 km
Population 2707
Male population 1367
female population 1340
Economic Activities: fishing, viewing
Shops (Private)30
Fast Foods/Tea Shops 4
Tailors 14
Carpentries 6
Pharmacy (Pvt.) 2
Engine Repair Workshops 2
Vehicle Repair Workshops 2
Island School
Govt. Owned 1
Highest Grade 12
Pre School
Private Owned 1
Tuition Classes
Private Owned 3
Health Center Govt 1
Nurses 7
Doctors 2
Commuity Health Worker 1
Family Health Worker 2
Mid Wives 3
Number of Boundary Marked House Plots 557
Number of Houses Boundary NOT Marked 20
Fully Built Households 228
Household NOT Fully Built 245
Mosques (Ladies)3
Mosques (Gents)4
Bicycle 325 Pvt (estimated)
Pickup 2
Mechanised Dhoni 40
Sathari Dhoni Travels Bet Male' and Atolls
Boats 3
Vadhu Dhoni Others
Rain Water Tanks (Public) 9
Rain Water Tanks (Private) 262
Number of Houses with Toilets 246
Number of Houses with Water Pumps 48