National museum (Maldives)
Encyclopedia
Established on the National Day of the Maldives
, the first National Museum of the country was opened on November 11, 1952, by the Prime Minister at the time, Mohamed Amin Didi
.
With the purpose of preserving history and calling upon a sense of patriotism among the people, the building values a large collection of historical artifacts, ranging from stone objects to fragments of royal antiquities from the Buddhist
era to the rule of Islamic monarchs.
, which is part of the site of the Maldivian Royal Palace compound dating back to the 17th century. The two-storey Us-gēkolhu is also the only remaining structure of the palace demolished in 1968.
The interior of the museum has been retained from the days of the Sultanate, including the handwritten Qur'an
engraved on the walls of the building.
Others examples include textiles such as ceremonial dresses, turbans, fancy slippers and belts used on special occasions, mats and other creative embroidery.
Highlights of the collections include:
It has been over 50 years since the Museum has been established. The museum also acts as one of the natural attractions in Malé, as it is frequently visited by tourists, giving them an insight to the rich Maldivian culture and information about the nation's past.
4°10′30"N 73°30′32"E
Maldives
The Maldives , , officially Republic of Maldives , also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and...
, the first National Museum of the country was opened on November 11, 1952, by the Prime Minister at the time, Mohamed Amin Didi
Mohamed Amin Didi
Al Ameer Mohamed Amin Dhoshimeynaa Kilegefaanu , popularly known as Mohamed Amin Didi was a Maldivian political figure. He served as the first president of the Maldives and as the head of government between January 1, 1953 and August 21, 1953...
.
With the purpose of preserving history and calling upon a sense of patriotism among the people, the building values a large collection of historical artifacts, ranging from stone objects to fragments of royal antiquities from the Buddhist
Buddhism in the Maldives
-History of Buddhism in Maldives:Buddhism came to the Maldives at the time of Emperor Ashoka's expansion and became the dominant religion of the people of the Maldives until the 12th century AD....
era to the rule of Islamic monarchs.
Building
The three-storied museum is located in the Sultan Park in MaléMalé
Malé , is the capital and most populous city in the Republic of Maldives. It is located at the southern edge of North Malé Atoll . It is also one of the Administrative divisions of the Maldives. Traditionally it was the King's Island, from where the ancient Maldive Royal dynasties ruled and where...
, which is part of the site of the Maldivian Royal Palace compound dating back to the 17th century. The two-storey Us-gēkolhu is also the only remaining structure of the palace demolished in 1968.
The interior of the museum has been retained from the days of the Sultanate, including the handwritten Qur'an
Qur'an
The Quran , also transliterated Qur'an, Koran, Alcoran, Qur’ān, Coran, Kuran, and al-Qur’ān, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God . It is regarded widely as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language...
engraved on the walls of the building.
Collections
A diverse collection of artifacts are displayed in the museum including relics from the foregone pre-Islamic period era, thrones, royal sunshades and furniture, costumes and shoes, coins, ornaments, arms and armor.Others examples include textiles such as ceremonial dresses, turbans, fancy slippers and belts used on special occasions, mats and other creative embroidery.
Highlights of the collections include:
- A coral stone head of Lord Buddha, an 11th century piece from Alifu Thoddoo.
- A 13th century engraved wooden plank from Hukuru Miskiiy.
- The Feyli Kolhu worn by the Sultan Ghaazee Mohammed Thakurufaanu-al-A"z"am is a fine example of the intricate craftsmanship of the Maldivian weavers in the 16th century.
Preservation
A lot of effort is made by the Maldivian Centre for Linguistic and Historical Research to expand and preserve the present collection. Plans are also being made to add an extension to the Museum in order to ease the problems that are caused due to lack of space.It has been over 50 years since the Museum has been established. The museum also acts as one of the natural attractions in Malé, as it is frequently visited by tourists, giving them an insight to the rich Maldivian culture and information about the nation's past.
See also
- History of the MaldivesHistory of the MaldivesThe Maldives is a nation consisting of 26 natural atolls, comprising 1192 islands-Historical setting:Since very ancient times, the Maldives were ruled by kings and occasionally queens ....
- Islam in the MaldivesIslam in the MaldivesIslam is the state religion of Maldives, and adherence to it is legally required of citizens by a revision of the constitution in 2008: Article 9, Section D states that a non-Muslim may not become a citizen of the Maldives.-Prominence of Islam:...
- Buddhism in the MaldivesBuddhism in the Maldives-History of Buddhism in Maldives:Buddhism came to the Maldives at the time of Emperor Ashoka's expansion and became the dominant religion of the people of the Maldives until the 12th century AD....
External links
4°10′30"N 73°30′32"E