How Maldivian Used to Build Houses With Coconut Palm Timber, Coconut Palm Frond, and Sticks
Author(s)
Title
How Maldivian Used to Build Houses With Coconut Palm Timber, Coconut Palm Frond, and Sticks
Alternative Title
Ruhvakaraai Dhandi Fanun Dhivehin Ge Elhigoiyy (ރުށްވަކަރާއި ދަނޑި ފަނުން ދިވެހިން ގެ އެޅިގޮތް)
Publication Type
Language
div
Number of Pages
4
Location
Maldives
Keywords
Housing
Maldives
Coconut palm
Tradition
Construction
Relevance to ICH Safeguarding
Description
Coconut palm timber, fronds, and sticks were traditionally used in the Maldives to build houses, particularly among the wealthy. These houses, admired for their beauty and craftsmanship, typically measured about 11 riyans long and 7 riyans wide (1 riyan = 2 ft, 3 inch), following a standardized typical layout based on the lifestyle of the Maldivians in the old days.
Built with a partition wall (Medhu biyy), each house comprised two main areas: the outer area (Maige’) and the inner area (Etherege’). The Maige’ served as the primary space for gatherings and activities, accommodating the males of the household, while the Etherege’ offered privacy for women and children, often used for more private and intimate activities.
Houses were oriented with long sides facing north and south, and entrances were located on the north wall (main entrance) leading to the Maige’ and south wall (back entrance) leading to the Etherege’. The Maige’ contained essential furniture such as a Bodu Ashi (large bench), Kuda Ashi (small bench), Dhimaa Endhu (bed) and in some cases an additional bed (Dhathi Endhu) as well. A door on the partition wall connects the two spaces, with the Etherege' furnished with 2 separate beds, a swing, and a long chair.
Building a traditional house began with a foundational structure (Gaafolhu) made of sandstone blocks joined together with tongue-and-groove joint. Wooden planks (Gaafolhumathy Vakaru) were laid on top, followed by the erection of vertical posts (Mella) to create wall’s structure. A wooden beam (Fashi Vakaru) supported the structure, topped by another layer of wooden planks placed at equal distance across the house and a continuous plank (Thona Vakaru) on top of that, running the house's length. Short posts were added for roof support, between the Thona Vakaru and roof ridge, with diagonal posts enhancing stability.
Roof rafters shaped the roof, sloping north and south, and a grid of battens secured the roof structure. Thatched palm leaves were layered over the batten grid, starting from the lower edges to the ridge, and secured with coir rope and additional battens on top of the palm leaves tied tightly to the roof structure.
Once the roof was completed, the walls were strengthened with batten grids tied to the vertical posts (Mella) using a stronger type of coir rope. Lastly, the walls were then covered with woven leaves such as that of screw pine and coconut leaves on the wall exterior and thatched coconut leaves on the interior. This covering is called a Sataa.
Built with a partition wall (Medhu biyy), each house comprised two main areas: the outer area (Maige’) and the inner area (Etherege’). The Maige’ served as the primary space for gatherings and activities, accommodating the males of the household, while the Etherege’ offered privacy for women and children, often used for more private and intimate activities.
Houses were oriented with long sides facing north and south, and entrances were located on the north wall (main entrance) leading to the Maige’ and south wall (back entrance) leading to the Etherege’. The Maige’ contained essential furniture such as a Bodu Ashi (large bench), Kuda Ashi (small bench), Dhimaa Endhu (bed) and in some cases an additional bed (Dhathi Endhu) as well. A door on the partition wall connects the two spaces, with the Etherege' furnished with 2 separate beds, a swing, and a long chair.
Building a traditional house began with a foundational structure (Gaafolhu) made of sandstone blocks joined together with tongue-and-groove joint. Wooden planks (Gaafolhumathy Vakaru) were laid on top, followed by the erection of vertical posts (Mella) to create wall’s structure. A wooden beam (Fashi Vakaru) supported the structure, topped by another layer of wooden planks placed at equal distance across the house and a continuous plank (Thona Vakaru) on top of that, running the house's length. Short posts were added for roof support, between the Thona Vakaru and roof ridge, with diagonal posts enhancing stability.
Roof rafters shaped the roof, sloping north and south, and a grid of battens secured the roof structure. Thatched palm leaves were layered over the batten grid, starting from the lower edges to the ridge, and secured with coir rope and additional battens on top of the palm leaves tied tightly to the roof structure.
Once the roof was completed, the walls were strengthened with batten grids tied to the vertical posts (Mella) using a stronger type of coir rope. Lastly, the walls were then covered with woven leaves such as that of screw pine and coconut leaves on the wall exterior and thatched coconut leaves on the interior. This covering is called a Sataa.
Book/Journal Title
Publisher
National Center for Linguistic and Historical Research (Dhivehi Bahaa Thaareekha Khidhumaikuraa Gaumee Markaz)
Place of Publication
Male', Maldives
Date of Publication
Aug 2009
Issue
365
Pages
22-25
Academic Field
Architecture
Cultural studies
Community/Ethnic Group
Maldivians
Contributor
Active Contribution
Maldives, FY 2024