This illustrated glossary of traditional Maldivian architectural features andornamentation has been prepared by the Maldives Heritage Survey Team. Our
work aims to systematically inventory and document endangered tangible
cultural heritage in the Maldives – including mosques, Muslim grave markers,
the remains of Buddhist stupas, and other historical structures and physicalobjects – through digital photography, 3D scanning, and GIS to create an openaccess online heritage database. The materials documented through thiswork are critically endangered, facing both natural and human threats thatjeopardize the survival and accessibility of historical information for this vital
node in pre-modern global economic and religious networks. The project,based at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, is led by R. Michael Feener andfunded by Arcadia. Work in country is done in partnership with the Maldives
Department of Heritage, with additional support from the Earth Observatoryof Singapore.
This document provides references for some of the most significant forms,
features and ornamental designs found in pre-Islamic ritual sites, old
mosques, mausolea, and cemeteries as well as in vernacular domestic
architecture. It is intended as a research tool for scholars and students
interested in the material culture and built heritage of the islands, andparticularly as a resource to be used when working with the records madeavailable through the MHS Project Database.
We would like to thank Mariyam Isha Azeez for her work on compiling thesematerials, as well as Mauroof Jameel and Muhammad Kamal for their expert
contributions and advice.

Pronunciation Key:
Dhivehi ( ‫ހ‬ިި ‫ ިދ ެވ‬Divehi), the official language of the Maldives,
has several dialects. The terminologies used in this glossary
are the most common ones amongst the people of different
atolls.

a - as in up
aa - as in arm
i - as in if
ee - as in eel
u - as in put
oo - as in cartoone - as in egg
e' - as in hey
o - as in ofoa - as in bornި‫ާއނގ‬Openings made in walls for air circulationand ventilation; these come in different
shapes (circular or rectangular shape is themost common type).

Adharaadha
Gon'diޮ ‫ރދ‬ާ ‫އދ‬‫ގނިިޑ‬Wooden chair (with or without armrest;
often with turned timber legs) used foreveryday household seating purposes.

Ahkkan Valhuް ‫ށކ‬ް ‫އ‬ި‫ނވޅ‬

Octagonal well; commonly built with flat
coral-stone slabs, constructed using tongue
and groove system (and without mortar oradhesive).

A

an'ga

Akiri
ިި ‫އ ިކ‬‫ރ‬

Alamaariިި ‫އލ ާމ‬‫ރ‬Small, naturally broken pieces of coral, used
as a flooring material for courtyards andopen spaces in house compounds.

A free-standing wardrobe or large cupboard.

Alhi Un'dhunިް ‫އ ިޅއނދ‬‫ނ‬

Locally made hearth dug on the ground of akitchen "badhige". Just before the month of
Ramadan, a layer of fresh leftover ash is
applied over the exterior surface and left toharden in order to make it stronger. Abovethe hearth is "dhumashi" where heat fromthe hearth is used to dry fish etc.

Arabi Liyunިް ‫ބ ިލޔ‬‫ނ‬ި ‫އރ‬

Arabic calligraphy ornamenting architecturalfeatures, gravestones, and other objects.

Anhen MahaanaGaaް ‫ނ ެހ‬ް ‫އ‬ިާ ‫ނމ ާހނ‬‫ގ‬

Grave stone, of which the summit (boa)takes the shape of a rounded arch,traditionally marking a female Muslim
burial.

Avahaara Gon'diޮ ‫އވ ާހރ‬‫ގނިިޑ‬A wooden chair used as a toilet by sick orelderly people as well as by pregnant
women and those recovering fromchildbirth.

B

Pillow shelf; a wooden shelf made from dry
timber wood and hung from the roof withrope; used as a shelf to store extra pillows.

aalees Kaaliް ‫ލ‬ާި‫ސ ާކ ިލ‬ީ ‫ބ‬

Badhigeިެ ‫ބ ިދ‬‫ގ‬

Kitchen used for cooking purposes; often
found as a separate building away from themain house building. Building materials varyfrom palm frond thatch or coral rubble
walls, corrugated iron roofing sheets or
coconut thatch roofing. Smoke is extracted
through small openings on walls.

Ban'daha Ge'ިެ ‫ބނޑހ‬‫ގ‬

Simple hut made from local timber andcoconut thatch, often found as a separatebuilding in the backyard of a house.

Beyru Ge'ޭިެ ‫ބރ‬‫ގ‬The first or outer public room space of adwelling where visitors are received andentertained; most commonly used as thedining and sleeping space for men, children
and guests.

Beys Foshiް ‫ބ‬ޭިި ޮ ‫ސފ‬‫ށ‬

Wooden medicine box used by traditional
healers (hakeem). Generally containing
substances including frankincense, deerhorn, ambergris, nuts, black and red coral,
as well as medicinal gums and resins.

Bihdhohfaraaiyާ ‫ށފ‬ް ‫ދ‬ޮ ‫ބ ްއ‬ިް ‫ރ‬‫ތ‬ި

Backyard of a house, where buildings
including open air toilets (gifili), kitchen,granary or store house (ban'daha ge) arelocated are located. This space is also
sometimes utilized to plant fruits orvegetable trees.

Billoori Loovaޫ ‫ރ‬ޫ ‫ބ ްއ‬
ި‫ލވ‬
ި ‫ލ‬
ި

Glass panels (clear or frosted); used aslouvers on windows or fanlights.

Bisthaanaް ‫ބ‬ި‫ސ ާތނ‬ި

Low built wall around grave(s) to mark aboundary. These were traditionallyconstructed of coral-stone and finished withlime-mortar (modern versions made ofcement). Most commonly built inrectangular and oval shapes.

Bodu Ashiޮިި ‫ބޑއ‬‫ށ‬'Literally meaning 'Big platform'; it is a long,wide wooden bench like platform used forseating, eating, or sleeping purposes (mainly
by men). It is found in the first or outerpublic room "beyru ge" of the house, andruns lengthwise from wall to wall.

Boliޮިި ‫ބ‬‫ލ‬

Sea-shells, in particular the cowrie shell(cypraea moneta) used as commodity andcurrency traded across the Indian Ocean
until the twentieth century.

Budhu
ި‫ބދ‬

A term generally used to refer to statues orother figural images associated with preIslamic traditions in the Maldives.

D

haala

Veranda surrounding up to three sides ofthe prayer hall in traditional Maldivian
mosques.

ާ
ި‫ދ‬
‫ލ‬

Dhaala Filaaާިާ ‫ދލ ިފ‬‫ލ‬

Flat wooden planks on either side of theentrance steps inside a dhaala. Usually
made of sturdy timber and finished with atransparent lacquer wash. This space is usedby men for seating before or after prayers,often while carrying out conversations.

Dhaaniާިި ‫ދ‬‫ނ‬A thin metal container attached to a pole;used for drawing water from wells. Old andrare "dhaani" are made from dried andhollowed sea-coconut shells and timberpoles.

Dhagan'du Tinuި‫ޓނ‬ި ‫ދގނޑ‬Corrugated iron sheets used as a common
roofing material since the 1980s, even on
renovated older structures.

Dharuge'ިެ ‫ދރ‬‫ގ‬A small hut built to store wood for any
household need.

Dharu Un'dhunިް ‫ދރއނދ‬‫ނ‬

A woodfire stove dug on the ground.

Dhagan'du Theyri
Kudadhoruޮ ‫ރކޑ‬ޭ ‫ދިގނޑ‬
ި‫ދރ‬
ި ‫ތ‬

Window with iron or any metal baluster;often found in residential buildings, butsometimes in mosques and other structures
as well.

Dhan'di Baththiިި ‫ދނ ިޑބ ްއ‬‫ތ‬Tall free standing, portable oil lamp; madefrom copper or bras, or any other metal.

Dhigu Gon'diޮ ‫ިދގ‬‫ގނިިޑ‬Long bench like seat/chair used for everyday
seating purposes. Found commonly at theentrance portico (fenda) of old houses.

Dhigu Kaniިި ‫ިދގކ‬‫ނ‬

Vertical posts fixed on both sides of amosque's entrance dooDhimaa En'dhuި‫ިދ ާމ ެއނދ‬Special bed (usually a roanu furi en'dhu),
sometimes placed near the wall on a side of
the main entrance door

Dhives Akuruް ‫ިދ ެވ‬ި‫ސއކރ‬Dhives Akuru is a syllabic script used towrite the Dhivehi language from the twelfth
to the seventeenth century, when it waslargely displaced by the Thaana script.
Dhives Akuru was, however, used for some
purposes in the Southern atolls up until
1940's.

Dholan'guޮި‫ދލނގ‬Large, flat circular metal plate used fordrying food in the sun, mixing food, cleaning
rice before cooking, etc.

Dhon veliް ‫ދ‬ޮިި ‫ނ ެވ‬‫ލ‬

Fine white sand used as a flooring material
for courtyards and open spaces, generally
for exteriors, but sometimes for interiors as
well. The same sand is mixed and usedduring the construction of buildings.

Dhoru
ޮ
ި‫ދރ‬

Door

Dhoru Kure'hunެ ‫ދ ރކ‬ޮިް ‫ރހ‬‫ނ‬Motif of a small carved door, resembling
entrance doors of old mosques. The motif
includes an arched door, with columns onsides and a hanging key with a chain. This
motif is often found carved on both exterior
and interior coral stone walls, and as well as
on Laage ornamentation.

Dhufaa Foshiިި ޮ ‫ދފާފ‬‫ށ‬'Betel box' with compartments or containers
for areca nuts, betel leaf, cloves, slaked
lime, cardamom, cinnamon stick, tobacco
leaves etc; often offered as a welcome toguests and presented after meals.

Dhumashiިި ‫ދމ‬‫ށ‬

Wooden trellis platform above the kitchen
hearth to dry and/or smoke fish etc.

Dhundhan'diް ‫ދ‬‫ނދނިިޑ‬Incense sticks; commonly used during
religious ceremonies or in households
during mawlid celebrations and Qur'an
recitation. They were also often used at
mausoleua (ziyaaraiyy) on religious
occasions and other auspicious days.

Dhundhan'di
Jahaa Ethiް ‫ދ‬ިި ‫ނދިނ ިޑޖ ާހ ެއ‬‫ތ‬Incense (dhundhan'di) holder, made indifferent forms and of various materials,
formerly used at mausolea (ziyaaraiyy) toburn incense for ritual purposes.

Dhunholhi
ޮ ‫ނ‬
ް ‫ދ‬
ިި ‫ހ‬‫ޅ‬

Chimney; commonly built with rubble coralstone, and covered by a roof. Openings"aan'ga" are cut on the sides of the walls tovent out the smoke.

Dhunkibaް ‫ދ‬ި‫ނ ިކބ‬A brazier used during religious ceremonies
at mausolea (ziyaaraiyy) to burn fragrant
substances such as frankinsence, ambgris,musk etc.

E

Terracotta tiled roof. Eetu terra cotta tiles
were used for roofing purposes until
corrugated iron sheets were introduced,
starting in the 1980s.

Elhi Gaaިާ ‫ެއ ިޅ‬‫ގ‬Cement or concrete blocks used forcommon masonry work. These have
replaced the coral-rubble used for many
types of construction in earlier centuries.

etu Furaalhuާ ‫އޓފ‬ި‫ރޅ‬ީ

Ethere Ge'ެ ‫ެއ ެތ‬ިޭ ‫ރ‬‫ގ‬

Inner private room - space/room where thehead lady of the house sleeps with younger
children of the house.

Eveylaa Akuruާ ޭ ‫ެއިވ‬ި‫ލއކރ‬'Ancient letters' used as the earliest known
script for writing the Dhivehi language.
Awaiting image

F

Sewing machineahaa Foshiި‫ށ‬ި ޮ ‫ފ ާހފ‬Fahjehi En'dhuެ ‫ފ ްތ‬ި‫ޖ ިހ ެއނދ‬Foldable bed of stretched fabric fixed onto a
simple wooden frame.

Fangi
ް ‫ފ‬
ިި ‫ނ‬‫ގ‬Dry coconut thatch woven together withcoir rope; used for simple walls, partitions
and roofing.

Fanthoshi
ޮ ‫ނ‬
ް ‫ފ‬
ިި ‫ތ‬‫ށ‬Dry cocunut thatch; used for weaving
breathable walls.

Fe'ndaaާ‫ނިޑ‬ް ‫ެފ‬

Covered portico where visitors are received
and entertained. A common feature of thisspace is a swing seat at one end.

Fenlaituް ‫ެފ‬
ި‫ނލ ިއޓ‬Fanlight.

Feyraaިާ ޭ ‫ފ‬‫ރ‬Household tool used for removing husk
from dry coconuts.

Firihen Mahaanagaaް ‫ރ ެހ‬ިާ ‫ނމ ާހނ‬‫ގ‬ި ‫ިފ‬

Fiyan Haruް ‫ިފޔ‬ި‫ނހރ‬

Wooden pole fixed to the kitchen wall, tostore locally made pot-lids called "fiyan".

Foiyy Foshi
Bahatta Haruާ ‫ށބހ ްއ‬ި‫ޓހރ‬ި ޮ ‫ފ ޮ ްތފ‬Coral stone brackets built into a mosquewall to support a shelf for the foiyy foshi.
This provides elevation as a mark of respect
for the religious texts stored inside.

Foiyy Gon'diޮ ‫ފ ޮ ްތ‬‫ގނިިޑ‬Small wooden foldable book holder used tohold copies of the Qur'an during recitation.

Fulhi Baththiިި ‫ފ ިޅބ ްއ‬‫ތ‬Oil lamp made from empty glass bottles or
jars, with a simple wick inside.

G

An older variation of the modern Thaana
Akuru script; sometimes used on Muslim
gravestones.

abulhiThaanaި‫ގބ ިޅ ާތނ‬

Gaburusthaanuް ‫ގބރ‬ި‫ސ ާތނ‬Muslim cemetery, often traditionally locatedaround mosque compounds.

Gathaa Faiިި ‫ގ ާތފ‬‫އ‬

Round, stuffed fabric ball on a wooden
stand upon which threads are laid to weave
kasabu embroidery on traditional dresses.

Photo Credit: Binthu Ahmed

Gifiliިި ‫ިގ ިފ‬‫ލ‬Semi enclosed area open to the sky with awell as its central component. This space isalso sometimes used to plant small housegardens.

Goathi The're'ޯިެ ‫ގ ިތ ެތ‬‫ރ‬

Courtyard or the open space at the front ofa dwelling.

Gobu
ޮ
ި‫ގބ‬

A small door knob fixed onto the panel ofold timber doors.

Gohh Kurehunެ ‫ށކ‬ް ‫ގ‬ޮިް ‫ރހ‬‫ނ‬Interlacing looped, knotted braid pattern,commonly found carved in coral or wood, or
executed in lacquerworkd on walls and door
frames, as well as on gravemarkers.

Golhi Kurehunެ ‫ގ ިޅކ‬ޮިް ‫ރހ‬‫ނ‬Linear quadrilateral motif, found patterned
as carvings in both wood and coralstone.

Han'dasburiް ‫ހނޑ‬ި‫ރ‬ި ‫ސބ‬

Open area with deep organic soil, commonly
found within the boundary of gifili whereholes are dug with an iron rod and used todispose of night soil. Home gardens of fruitand vegetable trees are planted in this area,
which are used for domestic consumption.

Harimma Faaruް ‫ރ‬ި‫ނމފާރ‬ި ‫ހ‬A low, narrow wall demarcating a ritual
boundary between some mosque buildings
and the surrounding cemetery.

HathareskanValhuް ‫ސކ‬ް ‫ރ‬ެ ‫ހތ‬
ި‫ނވޅ‬A square shaped well, constructed withcoralstone, cement, or concrete.

Haviththaި‫ހ ިވ ްއތ‬Artificial mounds of coral stone and/or sandassociated with pre-Islamic ritual sites.

Hirigaaިާ ‫ރ‬‫ގ‬ި ‫ިހ‬

Coral stoneHirigaa Valhuި‫ރ ާގވޅ‬ި ‫ިހ‬

A well framed with coral stone slabs.

Hirigalu Vadaanިް ާ‫ރގލވޑ‬‫ނ‬ި ‫ިހ‬

Stone carpentry and intricate carvings doneon coral stone. Floral, knot patterns,
geometric interlaced arabesques, and otherornamental motifs are often employed.

Hinavaa Ge'ިެ ާ‫ިހނވ‬‫ގ‬

Small building within a Muslim cemeteryused for burial rituals.

Honassaagaaާ ‫ހނ ްއ‬ޯިާ ‫ސ‬‫ގ‬A flat monolithplaced on the ground, before
the first step of the entrance stairs leading
into old mosques. Sometimes this 'stone' isconnected to a path of stepping stones(madi) leading from a well for ablutions.

Holhuashiޮިި ‫ހޅއ‬‫ށ‬A large roofed platform made of coconut
trunks or other material. These are often
found near beach areas or other open public
spaces where people congregate.

Hunigon'diޮ ‫ނ‬‫ގނިިޑ‬ި ‫ހ‬A low stool fitted with a fixed blade on one
end that is used for coconut grating.

Awaiting Image

I

loshi Fathi

Broom made from bundled stems of
coconut palm fronds (eekle).

ޮ ‫ިއ‬
ި‫ށފ ިތ‬ި ‫ލ‬Photo Credit: M. Niyaf

J

aali

Lattice work used in wall openings forventilation and air circulation, as well as forornamentation.

ާި‫ޖ ިލ‬Jeli Thuluthެިް ‫ޖ ިލސލ‬‫ސ‬

A variant of Arabic thuluth script, commonly
found in the calligraphic ornamentation ofold mosques, as well as on gravestone
carvings.

Joaliިި ޯ‫ޖ‬‫ލ‬

Locally crafted recliner on a wooden or
metal frame for a low, coir rope sitting
hammock. This often comes in a set ofadjacent seats.

K

Large wooden box used to store rice, sugar,
flour, coconuts and other staple food.

Kaageިެ ‫ާކ‬‫ގ‬Dining space - often in the thalhan mathi ofa traditional house.

aadu Foshiި‫ށ‬ި ޮ ‫ާކޑފ‬Awaiting Image

Kahaa Dhoruޮ ‫ކ ާހ‬ި‫ދރ‬A sliding door, normally designed with thickfixed frames and solid wooden door panels
that slide from side to side.

Kasabuި‫ކސބ‬

Elaborately woven embroidery works on
traditional Maldivian dresses and othertextiles using colourful silk, cotton andmetallic threads.

Kashi Veliިި ‫ށ ެވ‬
‫ލ‬
ި ‫ކ‬

Coarse grained white sand, often used tocover the ground in yards.

Koshaaru
ާ ‫ކ‬
ޮ +
ި‫ށރ‬

Granary where dry staples are stored. It is
made of timber walls and floors, coconut
thatch roofing. The structure is mounted onlarge coral blocks raised from the ground.

Kotariޮިި ‫ކޓ‬‫ރ‬

Room in a domestic structure.

Kuda Ashiިި ‫ކޑއ‬‫ށ‬A small wooden bench-like platform used
for seating, eating, and sometimes
sleeping. This piece of furniture is often
found in the public area of the house(beyruge).

Kuda Dhoruޮ ‫ކޑ‬
ި‫ދރ‬Window

Bismi
ް ‫ބ‬
ިި‫ސ‬
‫މ‬
ި

Ornamental roundel of the basmallah foundcarved into the coral stone of some oldmosque walls and Muslim grave stones.

Kukulhu Ahi Kolhuޮ ‫ކކޅއ ިހ‬ި‫ކޅ‬

Gable end of a house. Often this comes with
openings "aan'ga" for circulation andventilation of air inside the building.

Kuriboashiޯ ‫ރ‬ިި ‫ބ‬‫ށ‬ި ‫ކ‬

Metal ornament fixed onto the tip of amosque or mausoleum (ziyaaraiyy) roof
ridge, as well as on flag poles.

Laafen kurunް ‫ލ ެފ‬ާިް ‫ނކރ‬‫ނ‬

Woodwork covered with red and black
lacquer work; featuring as ornamental roof
beams and other features in mosques, aswell as on traditional handicrafts.

Laage'ާިެ ‫ލ‬‫ގ‬An elaborate coffered ceiling found above
the central prayer hall of a traditional
Maldivian mosque, often decorated withlacquer work.

Lakudi Theyri
Kudadhoruޮ ‫ރ‬ޭ ‫ލކ ިޑ‬
ި‫ދރ‬
ި ‫ތ‬

Balustered windows; found both inresidential and mosque buildings.

Liyaa Filaaާ ‫ިލ‬ިާ ‫ޔ ިފ‬‫ލ‬

Flat wooden boards fixed onto the interior
and exterior walls of mosques. These aredecorated with lacquer work calligraphy andornamental patterns.

Liye laa jehun
ެ ‫ލ‬
ާ ‫ޔ‬
ެ ‫ިލ‬ިް ‫ޖހ‬‫ނ‬

Turned timber craftsmanship.

Loa Fothiިި ޮ ‫ލޯފ‬‫ތ‬

Metal plates fixed on the front face of gravestones, bearing inscriptions.

M

Surface decorations of floral, vine, tendril orleaf motifs; either carved, embossed or
executed in lacquer work.

aa Kurehunް ‫ރހ‬ެ ‫ާމކ‬ި‫ނ‬

Maaloodhu Fothiޫ ‫ާމ‬
ިި ޮ ‫ލދފ‬‫ތ‬Fabric banners embroidered with coloredsilk thread and ornamented with Arabic
calligraphy that were hung around
Maaloodhu haruge on ritual occasions.

Maaloodhu
Harugeޫ ‫ާމ‬ިެ ‫ލދހރ‬‫ގ‬

A temporary wooden building set up for
religious observances involving the ritual
recitation of religious texts including zikr
and maaloodhu. These buildings are open
on all sides (covered with decorated
banners) and can be assembled anddisassembled as needed.

Madi (valhu madi)‫މިިޑ‬

Floor base paved around a well whichconnects to the stepping stones or pathway
leading to the hoanassa gaa and theentrance steps of a mosque.

Magaamfulhuި‫މ ާގ ްމފޅ‬The ritual 'abode' of a Muslim saint. These
small chambers are generally unfurnished,but sometimes house a large scale used toweigh offerings (nadr), often in the form of
coconuts.

Mahaana Gaaިާ ‫މ ާހނ‬‫ގ‬

Muslim grave stones.

Mai Dhoroashiޯ ‫ދ‬ޮ ‫މ ިއ‬ިި ‫ރ‬‫ށ‬

Main entrance door into a traditional house.

Makudi‫މކިިޑ‬Piece of wood nailed to a door frame andused as a latch lock.

Malaafaiyyާ ‫މ‬ިް ‫ލފ‬‫ތ‬A large, round wooden container, turnedand hollowed, and finished in coloured
lacquer work patterned into concentric
circles. This container is used for storing
plates, betel sets, and food offerings.

Mas Gon'di
ޮ ‫ސ‬
ް ‫މ‬
‫ގނިިޑ‬A small wooden bench with legs, used for
cutting fish.

Mathaaranfilaaް ‫މ ާތރ‬ިާ ‫ނ ިފ‬‫ލ‬

A wooden shelf or large wooden plank fixedand hung from the wall or roof beam tostore household items.

Medhuge' The're'ޭ ‫ެމދ‬ިެ ‫ގ ެތ‬‫ރ‬Center space of a house; often used as aliving area.

Mihrabާ ‫ިމ ްހ‬ި‫ރބ‬

A niche in the wall of a mosque in the
direction of Mecca, indicating the qibla
orientation for prayer.

Mihrab Filaaާ ‫ިމ ްހ‬ިާ ‫ރބ ިފ‬‫ލ‬An intricately decorated wooden panel fixed
to the mihrab wall of a mosque.

Mimbarި‫ިމ ްމބރ‬Pulpit in a mosque where the imam stands
to deliver the sermon (khuthubaa) during
Friday congregational prayers.

Miskithu B'eriް ‫ިމ‬ިި ‫ސ ިކތ ެބ‬‫ރ‬Roof beams of a mosque, often decorated
with Arabic calligraphy executed in red andblack lacquer work .

Miskithu Jaaliާ ‫ސ ިކތ‬ް ‫ިމ‬ިި ‫ޖ‬‫ލ‬

Timber lattice window of crisscrossing
diagonal design, found in some traditional
Maldivian mosques.

Miskithu Than'buް ‫ިމ‬ި‫ސ ިކތތނބ‬Interior columns of a mosque, often madefrom turned timber and finished withlacquer. The bases of these columns areoften made of coral stone.

Miskithu Dhoruޮ ‫ސ ިކތ‬ް ‫ިމ‬
ި‫ދރ‬

Entrance door of a mosque with two heavy
wooden panels sliding to either side on theinterior, and with fine intricate carvings on
the exterior side of door frame. Often
ornamented in with Goh Kure'hun.

Miskiyyް ‫ިމ‬ިް ‫ސ ިކ‬‫ތ‬Mosque.

Miskiyy Foshiް ‫ިމ‬
ިި ޮ ‫ސ ިކ ްތފ‬‫ށ‬

Ornamented wooden box used to store
copies of the Qur'an and other religious
texts inside a mosque.

Mulhoashiޯ ‫މ‬ިި ‫ޅ‬‫ށ‬A basket woven with dry coconut palm
fronds, used for carrying things, throwing
trash, etc.

Munnaaru
ާ ‫ނ‬
ް ‫މ‬
ި‫ނރ‬

A minaret. Minarets of different shapes andheights can be found at a relatively small
number of old mosque sites in the Maldives.

Nala Filaaިާ ‫ނލ ިފ‬‫ލ‬Horizontal frieze suspended from the outeredge of roof eaves.

O

A stone vessel used for grinding traditional
medicinal ingredients or sandalwood forcosmetics purposes.

dihanuޮި‫އ ިޑހނ‬Odi Haruge'ޮިެ ‫އ ިޑހރ‬‫ގ‬
Awaiting Image

A large, roofed building generally built nearbeaches; commonly constructed using
timber and with thatched roofing. Generally
used for boat building purposes and to
ground vessels for maintenance and repair.

Omaan Hiriް ‫އ ާމ‬ޮިި ‫ނ ިހ‬‫ރ‬A smooth-grained type of porite coral stone;
commonly used as cut blocks to build oldmosques' walls.

Onu Hiriޮިި ‫އނ ިހ‬‫ރ‬

A coarse-grained type of porite coral stone.

R

Toddy container; made from two fitted
coconut shells lashed together with fine coirrope; used to collect and store coconut palmsap.

aa Badhiާި‫ރބ ިދ‬Image Credit: The Japanese National
Museum of Ethnography
Roanu
ޯ
ި‫ރނ‬

Coir rope made from the husk of tendercoconuts, buried in a swamp or shallow
lagoon water for several months before
being taken out and dried, then hand spun
into strands of rope.

Roanu Kurehunެ ‫ރ ނކ‬ޯިް ‫ރހ‬‫ނ‬Braided pattern running as a border/frame
around ornamental panels (highlighted inyellow).

Roanufuri En'dhuޯި‫ރ ެއނދ‬ި ‫ރނފ‬Timber frame bed with woven coir rope
(Roanu). Commonly used as a dhimaa
en'dhu.

S

Large wooden planks (usually coconut
timber) stored above the roof beams of ahouse, and used for the construction of thehead of the household's coffin upon his
death.

andhoah Filaaާ ‫ދ ްއ ިފ‬
ޯ ‫ނ‬
ް ‫ސ‬
ި‫ލ‬

Sikka
ި‫ސ ްއކ‬ި

Carved seals found on the walls (generally
on the eastern side) of old mosques andmausolea (ziyaaraiyy) bearing the name of
the ruler who constructed the building, or
was buried there.

Simenthi Ashiް ‫ސ ެމ‬ިި ‫ނ ިތއ‬‫ށ‬
ި

Low cement platform open to the public
space at the front of a house, shop, or tea
stall.

T

A script for writing the Dhivehi language,
developed in the seventeenth century, andcommonly used today.

Thalhan Mathiް ‫ތޅ‬ިި ‫ނމ‬‫ތ‬Open veranda (fenda) at the back of thehouse; commonly used by ladies for dining
purposes and household chores such as
preparing meals.

haana Akuru

ި‫ާތނއކރ‬Awaiting Image

Thanndu
ް ‫ތ‬
ި‫ނޑ‬

A small piece of metal fastened onto a door
as a latch/lock.

Thashi Falhiިި ‫ށފ‬‫ޅ‬ި ‫ތ‬

Round circular cups fixed into cofferedceilings and other ornamental features thatserve to cover and enclose the wooden pegs
used for construction.

Thashi Kaaliިި ‫ށ ާކ‬
‫ލ‬
ި ‫ތ‬

Simple plate rack made from dry wood andrope, hung from the wall in a traditional
kitchen.

Thelhigaa Faaru
ި‫ެތ ިޅ ާގފާރ‬Wall built of chipped rubble coral stone withlime mortar as an adhesive. During modern
times cement is also commonly used.

Thin'biިި ‫ިތ‬‫ނބ‬

Roof ridge.

Thonaޮި‫ތނ‬

Short, turned timber wooden posts
between the beams and ceiling of a prayer
hall in a traditional Maldivian mosque;typically decorated with red and black
lacquer.

Thoshaliޮިި ‫ތށ‬‫ލ‬A thin covering of woven coconut leaves,used commonly as walls for more temporary
buildings such as ban'daha ge.

Thun'du Kunaaިާ ‫ތނޑކ‬‫ނ‬Mats woven from natural fibres andcoloured with natural dyes.

Tinu Furaalhuާ ‫ޓނފ‬ި‫ރޅ‬ި

Corrugated metal roofing.

UlhaaliInterlacing looped, knotted pattern
ornament found in lacquer work, as well as
in wood and coral stone carving.

Kure'hunެ ‫ޅ ިލކ‬ާ ‫އ‬ިް ‫ރހ‬‫ނ‬Un'dhoaliޯ ‫އނ‬ިި ‫ދ‬‫ލ‬A swinging bed made of wood, suspended
by ropes and commonly covered with large
woven mats (thun'du kunaa).

Un'dhoaligeޯ ‫އނ‬ިެ ‫ދ ިލ‬‫ގ‬A small hut to shelter an un'dhoali.

Un'dhoali Joaliޯ ‫އނ‬ިި ޯ‫ދ ިލޖ‬‫ލ‬

Swinging joali hung from trees; commonly
found in open, public spaces.

Uthuru En'dhuި‫އތރ ެއނދ‬A special bed facing north; inside theethe're' ge' and used by the head lady of thehouse. It is used by her during labour, and itis where the younger children of the house
sleep as well.

Uva Faaruި‫އވފާރ‬Sandy soil mixed with slaked lime that is
applied to surfaces as a plaster.

V

Sun dial; several types can be found acrossthe atolls, all of which include a gnomon anda dial plate.

Vahh Valhuް ‫ވ‬ި‫ށވޅ‬

Circular well.

aguthu gaaާ ‫ވގތ‬ި‫ގ‬Vaki Kure'hunެ ‫ވ ިކކ‬ިް ‫ރހ‬‫ނ‬Claw-like ornamental motif found on walls
and stair risers of old mosques, mausolea(ziyaaraiyy), and grave stones.

Valhu Dhohhޮ ‫ވޅ‬ިް ‫ދ‬‫ށ‬The area within the gifili with a well; used
for bathing, laundry, cutting fish etc.

Valhu kotariޮ ‫ވޅ‬ިި ‫ކޓ‬‫ރ‬

Enclosed bathroom with a well area; often
adjoining the ethe're' ge' or vihaa kotari.

Awaiting Image

Valu Dhoroashiޯ ‫ދ‬ޮ ‫ވލ‬ިި ‫ރ‬‫ށ‬A narrow entrance door at the back of thehouse; used mainly as a service entrance.

Veli gaaިާ ‫ެވ ިލ‬‫ގ‬Coral sandstone.

Vevuި‫ެވވ‬

Bathing tank; round or square in shape withrecessed steps inside; constructed withlarge blocks of cut coral stone. The entrance
is sometimes marked by large slabs ofstones.

Veyo Kurehunެ ‫ޔކ‬ޮ ‫ެވ‬ިް ‫ރހ‬‫ނ‬

Surface decorations of vine tendril or leafy
motifs; often found in the backgrounddecoration of calligraphic panels.

Vihaa kotariޮ ‫ިވ ާހ‬ިި ‫ކޓ‬‫ރ‬

Room with a sand floor for labour andconfinement.

Vohkolhuޮ ‫ށ‬ް ޮ‫ވ‬
ި‫ކޅ‬Hanging oil lamp made from brass orcopper; lit inside or near the mihrab ofsome older mosques. Some lamps holdthree, five, or more wicks.

Z

Mausoleum; ritual site marking the resting
place of a Muslim saint. Until the midtwentieth century, ziyaaraiyy were the siteof regular ritual observances across theMaldives.

Ziyaaraiyy Dhan'diާ ‫ިޒ‬‫ޔރ ްތދނިިޑ‬Tall flag poles found within ziyaaraiyy
compounds that flew white flags.

iyaaraiyyާ ‫ިޒ‬
ި‫ޔރ ްތ‬Photographs by: Mariyam Isha'a Azeez & Ibrahim Mujah, Maldives Heritage Survey

Other Sources (with permission)
https://www.pikview.com/media/7w258TS_O7 Mariyam Niyaf (image of Iloshifathi)
http://picbear.xyz/media/1365219808123084781_1584443531 - Binthu_Ahmed (image of Gathaafai)