Rice Provisions
Author(s)
Title
Rice Provisions
Alternative Title
Bandu Handulaai Roadhaafoiy Handoo (ބަނޑުހަނޑުލާއި ރޯދާފޮއިހަނޑޫ)
Publication Type
Language
div
Number of Pages
2
Location
Maldives
Keywords
Provisions
Food
Maldives
Royal army
Traditions
Bandu Handoo and Roadhaafoiy Handoo
Relevance to ICH Safeguarding
Description
The royal army or the soldiers have always been held at high regards by the Maldivians. In addition, to being given different ranks within society, there are more benefits that come along with this profession. One of them is the food provisions. Though different than before, it is still a practice that exists today. In the olden days there were mainly two types of food provisions given to the army. One is Bandu Handoo, while the other one is Roadhaafoiy Handoo.
Bandu Handoo is given once every fortnight in 12 Naalhi (1 Naalhi= approximately 1 kilogram) Handoo (rice). Therefore the 1st and 15th of each month these provisions are handled from the Thalhan of the royal palace by a Maakoshaarubandeyri Beykalu (grainary keeper). This keeper sits on one of rice sacks which is referred to as Findhudhoshu Basthaa with the Bandufanvaiyy (list of names for distribution) and directs the Kalaasee (one in charge of distribtion) for the deliveries. The Findhudhoshu Basthaa is a right of the keeper.
This Kalaasee will deliver the sack to the homes of the receivers and call out “Banduhandoo!” as he reaches the front door of each of the homes. When the people of the house hear this call, they will bring the utensils to the door and the Kalaasee will place the sack near these. He will then start to count the Naalhi given aloud as follows “Barakaaiy, Dhey, Thineh... etc.” till he reaches the 11th Naalhi which he will count as “Ekolhaheh”. He will then place a Laahi Dhalhu (a measuring cup with a unit of 1 Laahi. 1 Laahi= ¼ of Naalhi or 250 Grams) inside the utensil used and proceed to count the 12th Naalhi as “Dholhaheh”. When this Naalhi is poured into the Dhabiyaa (utensil), Kalaasee will pour it so that the rice will also spill to the Laahi Dhalhu. The rice in the Laahi Dhalhu is the considered commission for the Kalaasee and poured back into his sack. He will then proceed to do the next house on the list and repeat the process. The Kalaasee will wrap up his work around late afternoon.
Roadhaafoiy Handoo is the Bandu Handoo distributed to the army in the Roadha Mas or the month of Ramadan. These provisions are distributed on the 29th day of month of Shaubaan of the Hijri calandar. This is the month before the Ramadan. The provisions are given at the rate of 30 Naalhi per household including a special Handoo Naalhi for rice porridge or Baiypen. The households will give the Kalaasee distributing the Roadhaafoiy Handoo a drink sometimes accompanied by biscuits.
Bandu Handoo is given once every fortnight in 12 Naalhi (1 Naalhi= approximately 1 kilogram) Handoo (rice). Therefore the 1st and 15th of each month these provisions are handled from the Thalhan of the royal palace by a Maakoshaarubandeyri Beykalu (grainary keeper). This keeper sits on one of rice sacks which is referred to as Findhudhoshu Basthaa with the Bandufanvaiyy (list of names for distribution) and directs the Kalaasee (one in charge of distribtion) for the deliveries. The Findhudhoshu Basthaa is a right of the keeper.
This Kalaasee will deliver the sack to the homes of the receivers and call out “Banduhandoo!” as he reaches the front door of each of the homes. When the people of the house hear this call, they will bring the utensils to the door and the Kalaasee will place the sack near these. He will then start to count the Naalhi given aloud as follows “Barakaaiy, Dhey, Thineh... etc.” till he reaches the 11th Naalhi which he will count as “Ekolhaheh”. He will then place a Laahi Dhalhu (a measuring cup with a unit of 1 Laahi. 1 Laahi= ¼ of Naalhi or 250 Grams) inside the utensil used and proceed to count the 12th Naalhi as “Dholhaheh”. When this Naalhi is poured into the Dhabiyaa (utensil), Kalaasee will pour it so that the rice will also spill to the Laahi Dhalhu. The rice in the Laahi Dhalhu is the considered commission for the Kalaasee and poured back into his sack. He will then proceed to do the next house on the list and repeat the process. The Kalaasee will wrap up his work around late afternoon.
Roadhaafoiy Handoo is the Bandu Handoo distributed to the army in the Roadha Mas or the month of Ramadan. These provisions are distributed on the 29th day of month of Shaubaan of the Hijri calandar. This is the month before the Ramadan. The provisions are given at the rate of 30 Naalhi per household including a special Handoo Naalhi for rice porridge or Baiypen. The households will give the Kalaasee distributing the Roadhaafoiy Handoo a drink sometimes accompanied by biscuits.
Book/Journal Title
Publisher
The Academy of Dhivehi Language (Dhivehi Bahuge Academy)
Place of Publication
Male', Maldives
Date of Publication
Apr 1987
Issue
97
Pages
27-28
Academic Field
Social practice
Cultural studies
Community/Ethnic Group
Maldivian royal army
Contributor
Active Contribution
Maldives, FY 2024