The Olympics are always a chance to get acquainted with less familiar sports. The 2012 Games event that I saw was Synchronised Swimming which is not a programme on my record favourites at home. The Paralympics this week takes this introduction to even more varied competitions like ‘Goal Ball’.
The Maldives is pioneering some its own competitive spirit this month in the highly physical and talent demanding Boduberu Drumming sponsored by the Four Seasons. The Four Seasons are becoming a bit of champion for local competition having also promoted the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy 2012 earlier in the year.
Minivan News reported on the event…
“Beyond its significance for the holiday industry, a number of young people and cultural organisations, boduberu is serious business – not least for for the eight teams that on Saturday (September 1) night contested in this year’s Four Seasons Saqaafee Vaadha tournament on the island of Kamadhoo. Held barely five minutes by speedboat from one of Baa Atoll’s most high-profile resorts, the tournament saw teams representing the islands of Kendhoo, Kurendhoo, Holhudhoo, Kudafari, Dhivaafaru, Meedhoo, Madduvary and Rasmaadhoo competed for a grand prize of MVR100,000 to help fund development projects for their respective local communities. A further MVR 10,000 in prize money was also provided to be shared amongst the winning team’s members. The competition, organised in association with the Four Seasons resort group and local cultural organisations, was televised live across the nation with a team from the island of Rasmaadhoo being crowned the overall winners, based on the views of a four member panel of judges.”
Culture has been part of the Olympic since it started. The Opening and Closing Ceremonies are themselves major extravaganzas of music, dance, theatre, drama, sculpture, performance art and more. Also, since the Olympics last graced England in 1948, a ‘Cultural Olympiad’ has accompanied the festivities to further celebrate and promote the aesthetes with the athletes.
Events like the Boduberu competition aren’t that far removed from other ‘judged’ events (eg. Diving, Gymnastic, Syncronised Swimming, Dressage) that score equally as importantly for ‘Artistry’ as ‘Technical’ proficiency.
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Dear Sir or Madam,
I am Emma Tustin and I am currently studying music at Durham University, England.
I am currently in the process of planning my dissertation for my final year of University. I came across a album of Traditonal Maldives music on YouTube and found it completely inspiring.
This made me want to write about Traditional Maldives music, but I found that this music is hardly written about nor is it hardly recognised, nearly enough as it should be.
If I was to write about Traditional Maldives music it would mean I would have to collect and do the research myself – this would involve visiting the Maldives and talking to musicians, recording their work and writing everything they said – purely for academic research.
Do you think it is possible that you yourselves as a tourist company know extensive knowledge of Traditonal Maldive music or do you know musicians I could talk to and learn all about the musics history, instruments, rituals it’s apart of and performance?
All acknowledgements will obviously be held completely to the musicians and would be acknowledged in the dissertation paper I write – which is for academic use only.
If you need some reference to ensure the authenticity of my request I am happy to pas on my lecture or head of departments contact details who can verify my request.
I do hope I hear back from you, and thank you for your help
Kindest Reagrds
Emma Tustin
Emma – Let me make some enquiries. – Bruce
Emma – I have contact Jourdan Lama, the Reservations Manager at JA Manafaru who hosted us during our visit. He said that he would be happy to help you by putting you in touch with a number of the Manafaru musicians. You can contact Jourdan at jourden.lama[at]jaresorts.com. Good luck with your research. If you succeed, get back in touch (my email is maldives[at]maldivescomplete.com, and I would love to do a post about your findings.
Thank you so much for your help that is a great help!