En'dhi Mariyambu

En'dhi Mariyambu (Former Queen of Maldives that was burnt alive)
Kalhu Pila Dhaiy Kuni (Her teeth were blackened and charred)
Kalhu Thila Fihi Huri (Her bodily freckles were burnt)
Fari Hin'gi Magu Mathi (She used to walk the streets seductively)

Kuda Bandohah ErI (Visiting Kuda Bandos)
Theyo Haanann Feshi (Rubbing oil on her naked body, derived from the livers of deceased orphans)
Roa Yaamaa Ori 
Faru Kaa Hashi Neshi (She performed ritualistic seductive dances in the nude)

Iskandharu (Former King of Maldives)
Raskann Fulhu
Zaharunn nimi
Genn Dhiyayas (Eventhough Endhi Mariyambu ended the reign of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar I with poison)

Udu Machchah
Dharu Udhuneh
Vilayah laa
Gulhi Laamehi (Before he died the king conjured a storm made of fire)

Angurah Keri
Gadhayah Vehi (The storm clouds rained fire and ember)
Falhu Dhammaru
Bodu Baththeli (It lit up the lagoon where Endhi Mariyambu's royal vessel was anchored in)

Dhillaa Fissaa Chaka Hann
Virigenn (Thus the skins of the nobility began to crisp and fall off from the bones)

Haiykeyolhaiy Avahah Hure Negiyas (Though, they tried to save themselves by hoisting up royal "umbrellas")
Fini Fenn Lonu Fenn Kaatthaa Veriyas (Though, they tried to bathe themselves in cold sea water)
Dhila Gan'du Maithiri Veytho 
Thelhunas (Though they tried to ease the burning pain)
Buraki Rani Gaburah Goviyas (Though they called out for help from a deceased former Iron-clad Queen of Maldives)

Kan'du Ban'du Hai Vaa
Naamaann Dhuvahaiy (This was an ominous day when the spirits of the ocean hungered for blood)
Eh Gamu Gaa Thila Fai
Nujehennya (On this day, if your feet were not planted on a shore)

Kiyavaa Dhenn
Haiy Faharah Ho Ho (Alas, there is nothing that you can do, but pray in vain for mercy)

image credits: http://s3.amazonaws.com/…/wp-c…/uploads/2017/06/IMG_1982.jpg

This poem is part fictionalised and part factual

En'dhi Mariyambu

Note: The following poem contains a mix of fact and fiction.

Viha-Male' (ވިހަ-މާލެ)

‎ވިހަމަނާފުށިން ދެކުނަށް ކަޅިއެއް
‎އެއްލުމުން ފެނުނޭ ކަޅު އުދަރެސް
‎ނާމާން ވިލާތަކު ގަބުރު އިފްރީތު
‎ފަޅުމަތިން އަލިފާނުގެ އޮޑިއެއް

(Having a glance towards the south of K. Vihamanaafushi during the late 60's, one would have witnessed a powerful sight of decay and malevolence taking shape. Blackened clouds filled with cadavers, Ifrit and demons and a Great schooner of fire docked in the lagoon)

‎ކޮންނަމުން ނަގަމުން ދިޔަ ވެލިގަނޑު
‎ވަޅުލަމުން ދިޔަ ދޮންވެލި ފަސްގަނޑު
‎ބިކަވަމުން ދިޔަ ޖަންގަލި ގަސްގަނޑު
‎ފަތުރަމުން ދިޔަ ކޮސް އަޅި ހުވަފެން

(Dredging the lagoon and extirpating the white sandy beaches. felling of ancient trees that graced the streets of Male', the manifestation of a misguided ideology)

‎ފުރަމާލެ ދަރިކޮޅު ގެނބުނޭ ހަވަރަށް
‎ކޮއިމަލާ ބުނި ނަދުރެއް ހިބަ ނުވި
‎ތީމުގޭ، ދިޔަމިގިލީ, ހުރަވީ
‎އިސްދޫ, ހިލާލީ, ހަމަވީ..ހަމަވީ؟

(The golden children of Male' have long drowned. King Koimala's dream and promise has faded in time. All those ancient dynasties of Theemuge, Dhiyamigili, Huravee, Isdhoo, Hilaalee and Hamavi, what legacy did they really leave?, Are they partly responsible for the ills of Male'?)

‎ބަލާދީއްތިޔަ، ލޯކާބަރަނަ،ސަންދުރަ
‎ސާޅީހަކަށް އަހަރުން ވަޒަން
‎ނަޖިހާ ދަބަރުޖެހި ވިސްނުމެއް
‎އުޑުގައި ހިފަން އެޅި ފައްޅިތައް

(King Balaadeettiya, King Loakaabarana and King Maha Sandura, what were their legacies exactly? For we know a Kingdom of more than a thousand years that has become the longest running "Seat of Power" in the world, what has it really to show for today? In just 40 years, a very misguided consciousness filled the souls of those that have been in power, that began to build concrete temples they thought would reach to the heavens)

‎އަޑިއަށް ދަމާނޭ ގާއަޅާ
‎ވަރުގިރާ މީހުން ބުުނެއުޅޭ
‎ވިހަމާލެ ނަންފުޅު ސިއްކައެއް
‎ހަމުގާ ޖަހާ ދޮންދަގަނޑު ކޮޅު

(The people of Giraavaru used to say that Male' would sink one day due to the pile up of rocks and stone on to the Island. Maybe that day is now a heartbeat away. I say we get ready and brand our skins with a branding iron engraved with the seal of Viha-Male', so that those that find our bodies will know that we were ashamed of our ways)

‎އަދިވެސް ތަރައްގީ މާލެއަށް؟
‎ބުރުޒާ ޒިޔާރަތް މާލެ ކުޑަ
‎އާޖީލަކަށް ކަނު އަނދިރިކަން
‎ހަށިތައް ފިތެން އަދިވެސް ގިރިސް

(Yet, we are still transfixed on Male' and we are still hell bent on suffocating its inhabitants. Symbols of heritage have been razed and hidden from the eyes of coming generations)

‎ހާކާ އިމާރާތް އުސްވަމުން
‎ފެތުމަށް ކޮބާހޭ ރީތި ފަޅު
‎ދެމިލަން ކޮބާހޭ ވެލި ބިމެއް
‎އެޅިލަން ކޮބާހޭ ދެވަނަ ރާޅު

(The buildings are growing higher as we speak, there is no pure lagoon to bathe in, no pure beach to rest on. Where are the surf-breaks of lore to make love to?)

‎މަރަވެށި ފަޅެއް ވާރުތަމިވީ
‎ކަރުނައިގެ ފުރަތަމަ ހިނދުކޮޅަށް
‎ވައިނޮޅި ބެދެން ފަރި މަރުވަހެއް
‎ބޮޑުވާ ދަރިން ހުށިޔާރުވޭ

(We have left an ocean of plastics and the smell of decay to greet the first breaths of the new generations to come. So to you all we say...our heartfelt apologies and condolences and may god have mercy on you all)

Notes:

Translations are not word for word. 

Viha = Poison / Venom / Toxin

Maraveshi މަރަވެށި = An unofficial word I made up for Plastic

I have been inspired to write some of the verses after listening to the recent mesmerising speech of Alaa Didi on the occasion of Huravee Day (7th February 2019)

Viha - Male'

Maavaharu-fa

މާވަހަރު-ފަ

(The Ambergris and the Serpent)

Ban'dheli Kan'dhufachchaiy
Dhefai Galuga Mashaa Olhaa
Haana Ma Farakahh Mi Hedhee
Hudhannbaraiyy Ethere Vumunn

ބަނދެލި ކަނދުފައްޗެއް 
ދެފައި ގަލުގަ މަށާ އޮޅާ
ހާނަ މަ ފަރަކަށް މިހެދީ
ހުދަންބަރެއް އެތެރެ ވުމުން

(Since the vessel procured an ambergris from the sea, all the seamen have now been rounded up, legs bound to mooring rocks.)

Kolhufas Dhirun'baa Dhemedhahh
Fethuri Vahunn Atharu Geyaiyy
Vathu Therey Eba Inoa
Moya Govaa Vajidhu Vanee

ކޮޅުފަސް ދިރުނބާ ދެމެދަށް
ފެތުރި ވަހުން އަތަރުގެޔެއް
ވަތު ތެރޭ އެބަ އިނޯ
މޮޔަ ގޮވާ ވަޖިދު ވަނީ

(As soon as the ambergris was lifted on to the top deck, a powerful otherworldy sweet aroma spread across the vessel, driving people to madness and trance states. Some even accused the Captain of housing a secret perfumary below deck)

Vas Jehumunn Vas Vaas Laann
Harufa Sifa Negi Ibilees
Kiburuveri Kan'daiy Vihaa
Ban'du Filaa Vashaa Olhulaa

ވަސް ޖެހުމުން ވަސްވާސް ލާން
ހަރުފަ ސިފަ ނެގި އިބިލީސް 
ކިބުރުވެރި ކަނޑެއް ވިހާ
ބަނޑުފިލާ ވަށާ އޮޅާ

(While the smell filled the nostils of the seamen, the devil ascended and slithered around the boat in the form of an otherworldly serpent, spreading the smell of greed)

Keyolhu Beyaa Odi Veriyaa
Rashu Katheebu Ve Riyaa Atholhu
Daara Bann Dhaulathaa
Maa Ginaey Bai Alhann

ކެޔޮޅުބެޔާ އޮޑިވެރިޔާ
ރަށު ކަތީބު ވެރިޔާއަތޮޅު
ޑާރަބަން ދައުލަތާ
މާގިނައޭ ބައި އަޅަން

(Serpent: "There are too many to share the spoils with. Remember, there is a Boat Captain, a Boat Owner, an Island Chief, an Atoll Chief and even the Head of State".)

Halha Jehee Kaley Lolahh
Negi Baani Kaley Hithahh
Kolhigan'du Kaley Bolahh
Oye Gan'du Kaley Birahh

ހަޅަ ޖެހީ ކަލޭ ލޮލަށް
ނެގި ބާނި ކަލޭ ހިތަށް
ކޮޅިގަނޑު ކަލޭ ބޮލަށް
އޮއިގަނޑު ކަލޭ ބިރަށް

(Serpent: "You were the one whose eyes braved the strong winds of "Furahalha" and "Uthurahalha" - a period of strong consistent winds during the early days of the North-East Monsoon. You braved the towering swell and waves, you braved the storms and the infernal currents. This gold is your birth-right".)

Fothi Gan'daiyy Hudhu Olhaa
Thaiyy Kamaiyy Ge Raha Nudhee
Genngulhey Dhari Eh Henn
Fenngan'dah Dhenn Nulaa

ފޮތިގަނޑެއް ހުދު އޮޅާ
ތެތްކަމެއްގެ ރަހަ ނުދީ
ގެންގުޅޭ ދަރިއެއްހެން
ފެންގަނޑަށް ދެން ނުލާ

(Serpent: "Quickly, wrap this gold of the sea in a piece of white cloth. Do not let it go damp. Care for it as if it were your own child and do not let it drown back into the depths of the ocean".)

Borah Viyafaari Najis
Hiki Genn Ai Jeelu Thakaiyy
Haaru Mi Ves Faaralamunn
Faaragama Thakaiyy Fadhainn

ބޯރާ ވިޔަފާރި ނަޖިސް
ހިކިގެން އައި ޖީލުތަކެއް
ހާރުމިވެސް ފާރަލަމުން
ފާރަގަމަ ތަކެއް ފަދައިން

(Serpent: "Even as we speak, the descendants of the wretched Borah merchants are sniffing the air like dogs. They are looking to take away your child".)

Sirru Kurann Vaane Dhoa
Mayyithunn Bas Nuvikey
Naiyy Dhulaiy Tholhi Nulaane
Naiyy Athaiyy Vagu Nuvaane

ސިއްރު ކުރަން ވާނެދޯ
މައްޔިތުން ބަސް ނުވިކޭ
ނެތް ދުލެއް ތޮޅި ނުލާނެ
ނެތް އަތެއް ވަގު ނުވާނެ

(Serpent: "Don't you think that you should keep this treasure a secret from all living souls, at least till you reap the riches from it. Remember, dead men tell no tales, a tongue that has been cut out cannot speak and a man without limbs cannot steal".)

Maavaharu - Fa

aburu (Kaashi + Gaburu)

Kalhu Vakaru Chaalu
Laggamunn'
Makaru Haalu
Kakkamunn'

(Beautiful ebony wood keeps drifting onto the shores, while the people cook elusive roosters)

Veligalaa Chakass Adinn'
Fari Kohh' Neshi 
Huifilan'daa
Odi Kaa Bodu Masburi Riha

(A sea-cucumber content with a meal of sperm whale curry danced beneath the silt and sandstone)

Kaalaa Ban'du Dhamaalaa
Mee Gadhee Raajje Baa?
Ruhh' Nethi Falhu Mathi Mala
Nala Fahnn'thoshi Fehi

(It pondered whether this really is a Maldives fit for the coming generations, where no coconut palm trees graced the skyline)

Fulha Gulha Elhi 
Masgan'du Faru Vilu Kan'dashaa
Dhunn' Nethi Dhaa Thari Ali Gulha
Hunn' Gadha Vefa Vaa Udekey

(Where people died in great numbers everyday due to lack of nutrition, where the dead were so many that most of the dead bodies filled with maggots were not buried and left to drift with the current onto lagoons, reefs and the open ocean, when shooting stars and orbs did not grace the feverish night sky)

Bunn' Vefa Thibi Buhh' Nulibifa
Kiru Mainn' Dhemiothumuge
Aalamu Dhonn' Veli Fasgan'du
Ka'bbin' Mulhi Rahh' There Yahh'

(One day, when all the wet nurses and mothers suddenly died, leaving no one to feed the newborn babies and infants)

Kaiyy' Nuvi Kann'veriyaa Ahh'
Kiyavaa An'gayahh' Levi
Valhulaa Mann'tharu Hedhi
Ruh Gahss Fahnn' Fahnn'ditha Molhu

(A great white magician among them decided to do act to save the bloodline of the first-settlers, therefore he made a magical mixture out of herbs and put a little piece inside the mouths of all the deceased women)

Lha Kudhinn' Nahh'
Mammaa Ey 
Mi Gahunn' Kiru Libigenn' Vey
Kaatt'aa Kurum'baa Mini

(Out of their buried skulls instantly grew coconut trees filled with young and mature coconuts and those trees became the mothers that fed the newborns)

Odi Dhoann'yaa Gevalhahh' Fahnn'
Boduberakahh' Ruhh' Budu Ken'di
Kuni Kehumahh' Fathi iloshi
Karu Hikumah Kurum'baa Fenn'

(The mothers also gave Maldivians timber for boat-building, thatch for housing, wood for crafting traditional Maldivian drums, material for making brooms to keep the island clean and nutrient rich coconut water to quench their thirsts during their work)

Dhenn' Loamaafaanu Gayaa
Faiyy'thooraa Foiyy' Thakugaa 
Avahahh' Liye Favaa Laa 
Kaashi Gaburu Bahuru Vaa

(So why don't we write and engrave the story of the coconut mothers onto the copper plate records and governmental publications)

Artwork by:

Jille Hameed

https://www.instagram.com/p/BosCs9unmGE/…

2nd Image Source:

https://sc02.alicdn.com/…/Fresh-Green-Young-Coconuts.jpg_35…

BACKSTORY:

A Maldivian legend says that Maldives had no coconut trees during the time of the first inhabitants. Then a lot of the first inhabitants started dying in great numbers, but a great white magician or fahnn'ḍita man decided to resolve the evident scarcity in food which might have lead to the mass deaths. He thus placed a magical mixture made out of herbs and leaves inside the mouths of the deceased and buried them and thus, coconut trees grew out of the skulls of the buried corpses. Therefore, the coconut tree is said to have an anthropomorphic origin according to Maldivian folk lore. The coconut tree is our national tree, in addition to food, it also gave boats to our ancestors to fish and sail, thatch to make houses, coir-rope for various practical uses, wood to make traditional drums, material for making brooms for cleaning, etc.

This maybe the reason why naashi means both skull and coconut shell.

Reference: "The Maldive Islanders: A Study of the Popular Culture of an Ancient Ocean Kingdom" by Xavier Romero Frías, The existence of this myth has also been verified by Soadhube' and other local historians.

Kaburu (Kaashi + Gaburu)

‎Samann'kara - ސަމަންކަރަ

Link to full poem: 

https://www.facebook.com/956054057877415/posts/1463815267101289/?d=n

Artwork by: Alex Grey  https://www.alexgrey.com

Samann'kara

Baburu Akuru is a collection of contemporary Dhivehi poems and writings (with English translations and backstories) mainly centered around Maldivian folklore, culture, history and the supernatural realm.

Baburu Akuru

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