Between isolation and difference : possibilities and peculiarities in contemporary practices in the Maldives

Abstract

: The Maldives is the only nation-state of South Asia that is exclusively oceanic and coralline. The country comprises a system of atolls, islands, lagoons and reefs as well as the surrounding sea. Since the amount of land is minimal, the ocean traditionally provided most of the daily sustenance as well as valuable export products for hundreds of small and closely-knit communities. From the physiographical point of view the only other area of South Asia that has extensive affinities with the Maldivian archipelago is the Lakshadweep, one of the Union Territories of India. The Chagos group located to the south of Maldives is also part of the coral island chain, but is now uninhabited. Both the Maldives and the Indian Union Territory of Lakshadweep share common geographic features as well as ―to some degree― social, economic and religious patterns.Even though it early felt the influence of the European seaborne empires, the island kingdom of Maldives was somehow overlooked by scholars. The only exception was HCP Bell, the Archaeological Commissioner of Ceylon, who first visited the Maldives towards the end of the 19th century. His earliest of a series of studies on the island nation was done around the time that the Maldives had become a British protectorate, when practically the whole region and the intervening seas were under the British rule. Even though mostly restricted to local archaeology and epigraphy, Bell’s work provides critical insights of the hitherto unexplored societies of the Maldive Islands and Minicoy. The result of Bell’s effort has been enduring and his influence would henceforth be felt in all 20th century academic works dealing even cursorily with sociology and social anthropology in the Maldives. The Anthropological Survey of India began research in the nearby Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands by collecting field data only in mid-20th century; but even in that territory, studies on the local society are lacking ―and these are essential in order to improve our knowledge of the social structure of those South Asian coral island communities. Also what is needed is comprehensive research of both the Maldives and the islands under Indian rule; such studies would provide a unique opportunity for comparative investigation on the affinities and dissimilarities in the island societies of these adjacent clusters of islands, throwing light as well on the extent to which they interacted with each other and with the neighbouring South Asian landmasses. Exploring the possibilities of social anthropology in the Maldives will provide an exceptional opportunity to form the basis for the development of academic relationship with the other countries of South Asia on future research. Forthcoming projects could include cooperation between educational institutions in the Maldives and already established researchers of the society of the Maldivian archipelago and neighbouring island and coastal communities.