Migrants and the Maldives : African connections

Abstract

Asian migrants have left an indelible imprint on Divēhi, the language of the Maldives. The Islamic wave that swept in with the rising Arab trade, washed over the Maldives. Forms of music and dance reveal cultural

contact with other Indian Oceanic peoples. African migrants have intro- duced a form of music which has become popular in the Maldives. By

considering historical accounts and oral traditions, this paper demonstrates how African culture spilt into the Maldives.