The photo shows one of the traditional dresses of Maldivian women.

Top – The dress known as ‘Libaas’ is made mostly of plain colours with intricate hand woven embroidery made of colourful & glittery threads. This kind of hand woven embroidery has become very rare in the Maldives now as well as the dress itself. Except the use for cultural events and performances, few old women in some islands still wear them. Libaas without the embroidery is seen slightly more.

Bottom – The skirt known as ‘Feyli’ is always in plain black with two white lines running across on the bottom and a slit along the side/back. The everyday version of feyli known as ‘kandiki’ is plain black without the white lines. The old women who still wear the plain libaas accompany it with ‘kandiki’ rather than ‘feyli’.

Head Piece – When a woman wears libaas & feyli, she normally wears her hair in a bun (known as ‘hulhi’) on the side of her head. This bun is covered with a head piece called ‘Rumaa Falhi’ which literally means ‘Half a handkerchief’. This piece sometimes comes with elaborate designs and intricate embroidery as well.

Jewellery – The gold or gold plated chain is called ‘Karu Fattaru Bai’ and is never used for every-day purposes in the present day. However, the traditional Maldivian women’s attire will be incomplete without it!

No related posts.