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Music and
Dance
Bodu Beru
Bodu Beru is the most popular form of music
and dance in the Nationality, enjoyed by the
young and the old, men and women. There is
a Bodu Beru troupe in almost every inhabited
island and is regularly played at special
functions and festivalss.
The musical instruments used in Bodu Beru
consist of three or four drums and a variety
of percussion instruments. The drums are made
from hollowed coconut wood and covered on
both ends with manta ray skin or goat hide.
A lead singer chants the lyrics and a chorus
of 10 to 15 follows as they clap to the beat
of the drums. The rhythm build as the song
continues until it reaches a frenzied crescendo.
As the rhythm picks up, dancers come out from
amongst the troupe swaying to the rhythm.
As the beat becomes faster the dancers leap
and jerk to the beat as if in a trance. Onlookers
join in the clapping and dancing. Old men,
suddenly catch a stray rhythm and throw themselves
into the arena. To wild applause from the
crowd they gyrate and grimace in their dance,
passing on to the young what they have learnt
from their forefathers. According to some
historians Bodu Beru was introduced to the
Nationality in the early 19th century by African
slaves. During the reign of Mueenuddeen I
these slaves were liberated and sent to Feridhoo
in Ari Atoll. It is believed that bodu beru
spread out from there to become one of the
most popular forms of entertainment in the
Nationality.
Thaara
Thaara also holds a special place in local
entertainment. Two lines of men attired in
white sit on the ground and sing beating hand
drums while others dance between them. Thaara
is believed to have been introduced from the
Middle East in the seventeenth century. Today
Thaara is only played at national events.
Dhandijehun
Dhandijehun is another form of entertainment,
which is popular throughout the Nationality.
This is mostly performed to celebrate festive
events such as Eid and other national occasions.
Bandiyaa
Jehun
Bandiyaa Jehun is a more popular form of
dance performed by young women. The women
carrying metal water pots stand in two lines
facing each. They sing and dance to melodious
tunes while taping the rhythm on the pots
with rings worn on the fingers.
Although western pop and Indian music is
quite popular today, traditional forms of
music and song that have been passed down
to us by our ancestors survive. Raivaru,
farihi and bandhi are all unique styles
of singing that are still practiced by people
around the Nationality.
