Maldives is a predominantly Islamic nation . In the bygone eras, before 1153, Buddhism was the main religion being followed. In 1153, a scholar converted the king to Islam, and since then the whole country of Maldives has been practicing the religion of Islam. Who the Scholar was is still a question with many answers but nothing definite. All the main Islamic festivals are followed here with great fervour, with the young and old all participating in the celebrations. Religious education is part of life for all and Islam is considered as a part of the school curriculum and taught with the same zeal as for other subjects. Art & Craft The marvelous craftsmanship of the Maldivian is most evident in their architecture of their tombs and mosques . The old cemeteries are filled with intricately carved tombstones. Raw materials found locally are deftly carved and produced into lovely craft products. Most of these crafting skills are passed down through the generations keeping alive the beauty of the intricate art. Verses from the Holy Quran are intricately carved out on the walls of the mosques. This art calligraphy is strongly connected with Islam. Some of the best samples of the art of calligraphy are found in the Islamic Centre. Some crafts have become obsolete with time, and some have found a revival with the growth of Tourism. The awareness about the conservation of the environment has led to the decline in the sale of products made with Tortoise shells and black coral.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 02:16:33 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015