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Great night life in Maldives with ‘Bodu Beru’
By Niuma Ugail
It so happens that Lisa from North Yorkshire, England was browsing through various holiday brochures. For her next holiday, she wants to visit an exotic place. The Maldives, of course is a place she has heard of, but never visited before. Stunning weather, pristine beaches and clear waters – that’s what comes to her mind when she thinks of the Maldives.
Then, a thought crossed her mind, “What about night life? Apart from watching the shimmering night sky and counting stars, what else can I do during evenings in a quite place like the Maldives?”
Well, your choices on pub crawling might be rather limited when you are holidaying in a remote island. However, nightlife in the Maldives is far from boring. There is a variety of options to choose from. As the saying goes, when in Rome do as Romans do, and so when you are in a remote island in the Maldives you must experience night life the Maldivian way.
In this respect, the traditional Maldivian music and dances are not to be missed. Bodu Beru, Thaara, Lagiri and Bandiya are some examples of how the locals combine traditional music with local dance moves. In particular, experiencing the famous Maldivian cultural dance of Bodu Beru is certainly a must.
Bodu Beru performers on a resort island in Maldives. PHOTO/ COCO COLLECTION
Bodu Beru in local Dhivehi language literally means the “Big Drums”. It has its origins and roots in East Africa, and therefore Bodu Beru invokes a certain type of inner feelings that one cannot explain. Historians believe that music came to the islands of the Maldives around the 11th or 12th Century AD – this is something the Africans and the Arabs passed to the islanders on their route to Asia. Like everything else, the traditional forms of this type of music and dance moves have evolved over the years and have neatly blended in with modern cultural norms.
When first seen, Bodu Beru would appear to be a mindless form of dance without any particular structure to it. However, this is far from it. In Bodu Beru, usually there are 10 to 15 people in a group. There is a lead singer who sings a traditional song and the rest sings the chorus. There are five to six drummers called Beruverin. The Beru or the drum is the main and most special instrument used in this traditional music. The drum itself is locally crafted with material readily available on the islands. For example, to craft a good drum one needs a piece of hollowed coconut wood with both ends of it covered either by manta ray or goat skin. A coir fibre wire can be tied to the wood piece which acts as a strap.
To play Bodu Beru, one would need to wear the traditional costume – usually a sarong and a white shirt. All the members in the band wear the same design of clothes. A typical Bodu Beru dance takes place on an open sandy beach where one half of the drummers will often face the other half, all standing in a row. The drum master will often sit at the centre, with a big drum giving the tempo and leading the rest of the musicians.
Tourists join in and dance during a performance of Bodu Beru. PHOTO/ KURUMBA MALDIVES
The most interesting and intriguing thing about Bodu Beru is that it gets people to stand and dance – perhaps because of its original connection to Africa! The music starts with a slow beat and in due course would lead to a hyperactive and almost to a frantic set of beats and moves. When the tempo of the music increases it naturally allows dancers to move all around in an improvised stage, in a very ample way, turning and twisting their bodies, moving their arms up and down, looking at each other or not, entering into some kind of phase that appears to be uncontrollable. The moves all come together in response to the beating of the drums. Along with the drums, dancers slowly start to sing a slow traditional Dhivehi song in a very languorous voice that progressively rise and speed up. As the song continues, the rhythm picks up and people come out of the chorus and dance to the music. As the rhythm of the drums takes on the night, the scene and the music can quickly become hypnotic. If you have the desire to invoke an inner state in you and increase the dopamine level in your brain without resorting to an illicit substance, then Bodu Beru certainly is the choice for you.
For a tourist, the traditional Bodu Beru dance is on the menu in almost all resort islands. Usually there are two to three evenings in which Bodu Beru is performed on resort islands. During those nights, guests can join the fun and are encouraged to join the chorus, singing and clapping along to the music. The Bodu Beru songs usually have rhyming words which makes it easy to follow and sing along, even if you do not understand Dhivehi. More importantly, the dance moves, surely, are easy to pick up. Besides, once you start moving to the rhythm of Bodu Beru, the “inner dancer” gets invoked, even if you have never danced before!
Note: Niuma Ugail is a Maldivian journalist currently reading for the BA in Public Relations with Journalism course at Leeds Beckett University in the UK.
Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru has recorded the return of a Hawksbill sea turtle to its shores for the first time since 2015, with eggs laid in January hatching on the afternoon of 23 March, marking a meaningful moment for the island and its surrounding marine environment.
The eggs, laid on 24 January, have now hatched, with tiny hatchlings emerging beneath sun-warmed sands and making their way across the beach into the lagoon. The moment was quietly witnessed by guests and resort associates, offering a precious and moving glimpse into one of nature’s most delicate life cycles.
The return comes alongside Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru’s ongoing marine conservation efforts, led by its on-site Marine Lab – one of the first resort-based marine conservation programmes in the Maldives. For over two decades, the Marine Lab has contributed to coral restoration, reef protection, marine biodiversity monitoring and environmental education.
The Banyan Tree Marine Lab actively engages guests and associates through ongoing conservation activities, including Marine Talks on turtle and shark conservation, reef restoration and monitoring, as well as ongoing turtle identification and monitoring initiatives that support broader research efforts across the country.
Hawksbill turtles, listed as critically endangered, continue to face threats across the Maldives from habitat loss, marine pollution and climate change. Their rare return to shore serves as a gentle yet powerful reminder of the responsibility we share in protecting these fragile species and the ecosystems they depend on.
“Moments like are truly special,” said Alex Burden, Marine Lab Manager at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru. “The return of a sea turtle to our shores is a powerful reflection of what long-term commitment and genuine care for the marine environment can achieve.”
This Easter, Siyam World Maldives, part of Sun Siyam’s Lifestyle Collection, is clicking its ruby slippers and transforming into the magical World of Oz from From March 31st – April 17th, 2026 with not one, not two, but three international football legends arriving on island. Yes, while the Wizard may rely on smoke and mirrors, Massimo Ambrosini, Javier Saviola and Gary Cahill are very real, and they will be hosting exclusive football camps throughout April for young players and fans ready to sharpen their skills in paradise.
But that is only the beginning because, unlike Dorothy, you might not want to go home.
Alongside these star-studded camps, Siyam World’s Easter celebrations invite guests to follow the Yellow Brick Road into the World of Oz, where the island comes alive with magical shows, playful races, kid-friendly carnivals, and high-energy island adventures.
The journey begins with Dorothy’s Arrival, a sunset gathering at Together Beach where emerald lights glow, music fills the air, and the first clues of the Oz adventure begin to unfold. Guests are then invited to follow the Yellow Brick Road across the island, discovering surprises along the way. The highlight of the Easter programme is the spectacular Journey to the Emerald City Stage Show, featuring dazzling dance performances, aerial artistry, fire acts, and immersive visuals that bring the magic of Oz to life.
Young adventurers can explore the Wizard’s Kidz Carnival, packed with games, face painting, and playful characters, while guests ready for a challenge can join The Amazing Race – Wizard of Siyam Edition, racing around the island in a series of fun challenges inspired by brains, heart, and courage.
Meanwhile, the SW 3K Easter Run adds an extra splash of fun with bubble tunnels, misty surprises, and plenty of laughter along the way.
And for football lovers, the island’s pitch becomes the ultimate training ground with three exclusive camps:
- Massimo Ambrosini Football Camp (2–4 April) – The AC Milan midfield legend known for leadership and tactical brilliance
- Javier Saviola Football Camp (5–10 April) – The lightning-fast Argentine forward “El Conejo,” famed for creativity and clinical finishing.
- Gary Cahill Football Camp (13–17 April) – The England international and former Chelsea captain celebrated for his defensive strength and leadership.
With world-class football, magical storytelling, and island adventures around every corner, The World of Oz at Siyam World promises an Easter celebration where fantasy, sport, and pure fun collide.
Because at Siyam World, the adventure never ends, it simply follows the Yellow Brick Road.
For more information and to book your stay or check out the full Easter programme, please visit the resort’s website.
The vibrant coral reefs surrounding Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives play a vital role in sustaining the island’s rich marine biodiversity. Recognising the growing threats faced by coral ecosystems worldwide, the resort has introduced a coral restoration initiative aimed at supporting the long-term recovery of its house reef.
Coral reefs are among the most sensitive and fragile ecosystems on the planet and are increasingly affected by environmental stressors such as rising ocean temperatures, coral bleaching, and human activity. These ecosystems not only support thousands of marine species but also play a crucial role in maintaining ocean health and protecting coastlines.
As part of its ongoing sustainability efforts, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has taken proactive steps to assist reef regeneration through a structured coral restoration programme. The initiative recently saw the installation of 25 coral frames, each carefully planted with coral fragments collected from naturally broken corals found within the surrounding lagoon and reef areas.
Over time, these fragments will grow and fuse with one another, gradually forming new coral colonies that contribute to rebuilding the reef structure. As the corals mature, they create shelter and feeding grounds for a wide variety of marine life, helping restore the ecological balance of the reef ecosystem.
The restoration project also serves as an important platform for raising awareness among guests and team members about the importance of marine conservation. By nurturing these coral frames and monitoring their progress, the resort contributes to strengthening the resilience of its surrounding reef while supporting broader efforts to safeguard the Maldives’ underwater ecosystems.
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