As Muslims, they have conservative customs and traditions and yet they are liberal in approach. In Minicoy things are a little different. Here a man after marriage not only moves to his wife's home but also adopts her family name. Marco Polo described Minicoy as a female island. Women are dominant and make all the decisions.
History comes alive in folk ballads that women chant during their house - hold chores.
Events of the past - the arrival of Hazrat Ubaidullah in Lakshadweep, the plunder of the islands by the Portuguese, have been perpetuated by the balladeer. The young men have some spirited folk dances. The women are modest with colourful dress and wear their jewellery in safety. The people of Minicoy have a good sense of colour, painting their houses, furniture and boats in bright and tasteful combinations. Seamen from Minicoy are to be found on merchant ship all over the world.