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Games, for adults or children, are an integral part of any society around the world. At the same time, for outsiders, they are fascinating experiences and events that give insight into local customs.
Our forefathers invented indoor and outdoor games not just for enjoyment but also to educate and bond with each other. Moreover, while some games came into being as an escape for adults after a hard day’s work, others proved helpful in keeping children active and occupied in school or at home.
Unfortunately, the art of games in their traditional form is slowly dying, particularly with the advent of the digital age. Nevertheless, a few countries remain rooted in their age-old gaming practices, and the Maldives is one of them.
In the Maldives, an island nation with a history of over 2500 years, traditional Maldivian games like Bashi, Thin Hama, and Ohvalhu are still as popular and loved today as they were decades if not centuries ago.
The Maldives in the Olympics
Before diving into the fascinating facts about traditional Maldivian games, it’s interesting to note the nation’s standing in the sports world.
In 1985, the country’s National Olympic Committee first came into being. In 1988, Maldives made its official entry into the Olympics. Although the nation is yet to win a medal, enthusiastic sportspersons from the isles continue to participate in the competition, showcasing Maldives’ endless love and passion for sports.
Tourists interested in discovering more about the islands will observe a similar enthusiasm amongst adults and children when it comes to playing traditional Maldivian games.
Gan’du Filla
Gan’du Filla is a light-hearted traditional Maldivian game played indoors by children, usually in the bedroom. A simplified and somewhat alternate version of hide-and-seek, the game requires a minimum of three players.
However, it can include additional participants depending on the available hiding places and room size. Eventually, the more individuals playing, the merrier, as it makes the game challenging and leads to a riot of laughter and fun.
Gan’du Filla involves one person, the guesser, leaving the room or the play area. The remaining players pick a person to hide inside a sheet, known as gan’du. They themselves then hide elsewhere in the vicinity (under the bed, cupboard, bathroom). When the guesser returns to the room, they must figure out who is under the bedsheet.
Furthermore, upon entering, the guesser sings, “Gan’du heley heley.” At this point, the player inside the sheet must shake and move but remain silent not to give away their identity.
If the guesser figures out who it is, they win, and the person inside the sheet becomes the next guesser. If not, the original player must go out and try again.
Thin Hama
Thin Hama is a strategic two-player indoor board game that goes back generations. A family favorite, the game initially included drawing the square play area on a wooden base. Nowadays, the board can be anything from cardboard to paper or sandy ground.
At the start of the game, both players have 18 pieces. Earlier, locals used shells as their playing chips. The players must then place the pieces, one at a time, at different line intersections on the board. However, they cannot put them three in a row.
You can only move vertically and horizontally on the board. The game’s aim is to try and get three chips in a row or prevent your opponent from getting three markers in a row.
Once a player has three markers in a row, they can remove one of the opponents’ pieces. The same continues until only two of the opponents’ chips are left, cementing their loss.
Thin Hama is a thought-provoking game, very much like chess. Not only do the players have to plan their moves in advance, but they also must try and figure out their opponent’s game plan.
Bashi
Although the national sport of the Maldives is football, Bashi once held the coveted position. Today, women of the islands exclusively play this thrilling and competitive outdoor traditional Maldivian game, which minutely resembles tennis.
Played between teams of 7 or 11 players, a game of Bashi has two innings. As a result, both teams get to pitch and catch. During a match, one player from the pitching team hits the ball over their head and the net while standing backward. The opponent’s job is to try and catch this fast-moving ball.
Every successful catch eliminates the servers until the entire team is out. Each pitcher gets 12 shots. If they manage to stand on without being caught, they get four extra shots. this time, though, they can face their opponents.
Maldivian girls start playing Bashi during their early years, typically joining island teams when they reach their late teens. While a lot of fun, Maldivians take the game seriously, and tournaments between islands are a regular feature.
History of Bashi
Usually, one plays tennis on either grass or clay court. The locals, however, play Bashi on a tennis-like sandy court. The game initially consisted of a ball made out of rolled coconut palm leaves. The rackets in the early days were wooden, or occasionally, players used their hands.
In 1958, the first Maldivian President, Mohamed Amin Didi, decided to give the game a modern spin while making it safer. For this, he replaced the traditional balls and bats with the standard tennis balls and rackets.
Baibalaa
Baibalaa is an exciting and physical outdoor game played between two teams. It’s a rough sport that tests its participants’ strength, speed, and agility. Having connections with the Indian game of Kabaddi, Baibalaa is thousands of years old.
While Kabaddi has a rectangular playing field, teams play Baibalaa in a circular area. One group stands outside the circle while the other is inside. Then, a player from outside enters the ring and attempts to tag an opposite team member.
At this stage, the opposing team must ensure they stay safe. At the same time, they try and capture the player and keep him within the circle. If caught, the team member can no longer play till the next round.
One of the reasons for the popularity of Baiballa is that it does not require any pre-planning. The is no equipment needed, and one can play it on the beach or on any field.
The Baibalaa Association of Maldives is the official governing body of the game in the country. They hold an annual Baibalaa tournament in which upwards of 30 professional teams participate. The competition winner usually takes home close to MVR 40,000 as the prize money.
Raazuvaa
The island variant of chess, like some of the other traditional Maldivian games, is not a direct copy of the original game. It’s thought that islanders picked up the basics of the game during their travels but could not replicate them correctly upon returning home. As a result, the rules of Raazuvaa seem incomplete.
Also known as Dhivehi Raazuu, the pawns, for instance, move differently in the game. Furthermore, even though the castling and position of the king and queen are different, the game’s objective is the same as in chess.
Made with wood, a typical Raazuvaa board is an excellent Maldivian souvenir to take home. There are also beautiful lacquered versions of the game you can buy that showcase the artisanal side of the Maldives in all its glory.
Interestingly, the pattern on the board is not always black and white, like in chess, but a combination of any dark and light theme. You’ll also notice that the game pieces have a unique design, giving the Raazuvaa a special island touch.
Raazuvaa is an outstanding traditional Maldivian game to sharpen young minds and get them to focus better.
Akuru Thaasbe
Akuru Thaasbe is a card game invented during the ’70s by Abdulla Sadiq. It resembles Scrabble in nature, as the cards have syllables printed on them. The syllables are a part of Thaana, a writing system used in the Maldives.
Despite being a relatively modern game, it connects well with the traditionality of the islands through the use of a local native language. Interestingly, this game comes without a rule book, making it difficult to explain how one can play it.
We can tell you that there are 291 playing cards in the pack and four red cards having a specific defined value. Moreover, to play this game, one must have a deep understanding of the Dhivehi language. Consequently, to try and understand the intricacies of Akuru Thaasbe, you must be good with languages and social enough to ask a local.
Crab Racing
Of all the traditional Maldivian games, crab racing is one that you are more than likely to come across during your stay in a Maldivian resort easily. The game is a popular pass time on local islands and is often a part of cultural events for guests on private retreats.
The playing area for crab racing is a small loop inside a large circle on solid or sandy ground. Inside the small circle, the participants place their hermit crabs. The owners usually mark the white shells of the crabs with a distinct color to distinguish them. The referee then places a bowl over the crabs so that they do not escape.
Before the race begins, everyone must stand outside the bigger circle. Then, the referee removes the bowl, and the race starts. The first crab to cross the outer circle wins!
During the race, you can expect a lot of shouting and cheering. The atmosphere is always friendly, with the winner getting the right to boast of having the fastest crab in town.
Ohvalhu
Ohvalhu translates to “game of 8 holes,” but don’t be mistaken because it is not mini-golf. One of the most loved traditional Maldivian games, it takes inspiration from the Indonesian Congkak and Dakon but is very different in its character.
An Ohvalhu board has six, seven, or eight holes. The eight-hole board is the standard. As with Thin Hama, players used shells in Ohvalhu. Now, though, pebbles are common instead. There are also two large holes at both ends of the board. Each player takes the hole to their right.
The game includes filling each cup with shells and keeping the large cups empty. Played in turns, the first player picks up some shells and moves counterclockwise. They then put one shell in each cup, including the large cup to their right, until all the shells are on the board.
If the last pebble ends up in a cup that’s already filled, the player will pick up the whole bounty and go about the process until done with them all.
Ohvalhu is an easy-to-play game and thus popular with locals of all ages. However, it is a time-consuming board game, best played when you have a relatively free schedule.
