Culture
Fushifaru Maldives introduces indigenous Maldivian experiences
Fushifaru Maldives has introduced a collection of indigenous Maldivian experiences for guests to enjoy during their stay.
One of the Maldives’ newest boutique resorts, Fushifaru made waves with a first-of-its-kind arrival ritual by welcoming all guests to the island with the blowing of the Sangu or Sea Conch. A significant aspect of Maldivian cultural history, the Sangu was traditionally used by village elders to call the community to attention for important announcements.
This practice kicked off a collection of indigenous Maldivian experiences available at the resort.
Diversifying the Coconut
For guests looking to channel their inner Robinson Crusoe, learn to climb a coconut palm at the resort’s Coconut Tree Climbing Masterclass – a solid 99-minute session of laughter-filled bonding with one of the many beautiful coconut palms on the island, all supervised by an experienced member of its recreation team.
Learning to scale the smooth, sturdy trunk barefoot or with a piece of strong cloth gives beginners a great sense of accomplishment, not to mention fantastic photos! Climbing trees is a staple skill amongst the islanders to gather coconuts and palm fronds for making everything from twine and baskets to mats and fans and to harvest fruits, leaves and spices that typify traditional Maldivian cuisine. Guests will also get to see the fruits of their labour, taking home their very own island-made mats and baskets.
Guests are also invited to experience other interactive activities, from toddy tapping and milking of coconuts to the making of pure coconut oil. They can also try their hand at weaving traditional Maldivian rope using the coir of dried coconut husks, as well as Cadjan weaving using dried coconut leaves – essentially making the roofs over their villas!
Boduberu Beat
For guests who are more musically inclined, Fushifaru’s Boduberu Beat session gives them a chance to try their hand at playing the Boduberu drum made traditionally from the trunk of the coconut tree. This traditional Maldivian instrument bears influence from the music in east and southwest Africa that was brought to the islands by sailors from the Indian Ocean around the 11th century.
Starting first with steady rhythms before gaining tempo and reaching a loud, festive and exhilarating crescendo that is referred to as “vibrating the island”, the session features dancers who will accompany guests by jumping, swaying and singing along to the music. The interactive, energetic nature of Boduberu Beat makes for a great workout and an immersive Maldivian music experience for all ages.
Maldivian Cooking Class
For gastronomes and those curious about the culinary arts of the local islands, the resort offers a hands-on Maldivian Cooking Class on Maldivian tuna curry, Mashuni (a staple Maldivian salad of tuna flakes, chopped onions, tomatoes, chilli and a sprinkle of lime) accompanied by steaming hot Roshi (Maldivian flat bread).
Fushi Trail and Faru Discovery
A conservationist’s favourite, guests will be guided by the resort’s Resident Explorer to discover and learn about the diverse flora and fauna that make this exquisite little island a wonder both above and below the waterline. This includes spotting the island’s two resident rabbits! Occasionally, guests may even be treated to a mother turtle laying her eggs right outside a villa.
As custodians of conservation, each guest is encouraged to contribute in any small way to saving the planet, all whilst enjoying the wonders of idyllic island life.
Villa Amenities
Designed to amplify the joys of island life at Fushifaru, each guest villa offers servings of Athujehi (spicy fish chips famously made on the neighbouring local island of Hinnavaru), Kaashi (coconut meat often accompanied with dried tuna), Theluli Bambukeyo (breadfruit chips usually served at a housewarming), and Laagulha (Molucca bean which is also used as traditional medicine).
Not forgetting Fushifaru’s Very Important Kids will also receive traditional toys including Madhoshi (red sandalwood seeds usually collected by local island children to play games with, and Boli (cowrie shells that were used as the first form of currency in the Maldives).
Located on the far north east border of Lhaviyani atoll, the exquisite island of Fushifaru is home to an extraordinary landscape above and below the waterline. With ‘Fushi’ meaning ‘island’ and ‘Faru’ meaning ‘reef’ in the local Dhivehi language, the island is the perfect getaway for a digital detox and a little soul searching.
With 49 beach and water villas that exude luxurious coziness with carefully selected amenities, choose from 18 beach villas with private plunge pools, 26 beach villas and 5 water villas. Each features stunning outdoor bathrooms, large outdoor decking, 43” IPTV, Egyptiancotton linen and 24-hour personalised Resident service.
Fushifaru has three food and beverage outlets that will take guests on a gastronomic journey starting at Korakali for an international breakfast, lunch and dinner, while Raakani Grill showcases signature Asian recipes with a focus on the finest local seafood. Fanihandhi Bar is perfect for catching some sun with a cocktail in hand or unwinding to a famous Maldivian sunset.
Heylhi Spa has five-treatment rooms or sanctuaries that embody the spirit of rejuvenation; a concept inspired by the Cleaner Wrasse fish found commonly throughout the island’s reef. Designed with lush, green surroundings, the spa echoes its name Heylhi, which in Dhivehi refers to jungle-like vegetation found at the shoreline. Each treatment room resembles traditional Maldivian cottages, complete with outdoor garden bathrooms.
From a state-of-the-art gym and multi-sports court, to paddle boarding, snorkelling, diving and semi-submarine expeditions, activities are endless at Fushifaru. For an insight into coral rehabilitation and marine education, a resident marine biologist is on hand to share lessons on conservation and conduct guided snorkelling tours around the island and nearby reefs.
Eid at Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort unfolded this year as a heartfelt celebration of connection, reflection, and Maldivian heritage, bringing guests together through two days of meaningful experiences designed to honour the spirit of the holiday.
From the first morning of Eid, families gathered over generous breakfast spreads and continued to reconnect throughout the day with celebratory dining offerings that wove together shared traditions and island flavours. As evening arrived, the resort invited guests to slow down under the open sky–stargazing by the shoreline, floating sound- healing sessions by the lagoon, and gentle sunrise and sunset yoga created quiet spaces for gratitude and presence.
The festivities continued across the island with immersive activities for all ages. Guests joined friendly football matches and a junior football camp, explored new skills in hands-on cooking classes, centred mind and body through Muay Thai practice, and took part in light-hearted competitions such as kayaking and archery. Beyond the resort, those eager to discover local life ventured on guided island visits, while evenings resonated with Maldivian folklore storytelling and the rhythm of the traditional Boduberu performance, bringing the cultural heartbeat of Eid to life.
Honouring Maldivian Heritage
A highlight of this year’s celebrations was the Eid cultural showcase at Raha Market on the 20th of March. The space was transformed into a traditional Fange, a handcrafted palm-thatched hut, where guests could explore skills and tools that once formed the backbone of daily life across the Maldives.
Artisans demonstrated Hanu lathe, how it is used in the sharpening of the Kathivalhi chopping blade, and the versatile Furoa axe, offering insight into craftsmanship passed down through generations. Guests observed the intricate Roanu Veshun technique of coir rope braiding and the delicate Fangi Vinun craft of weaving coconut fronds into kajan roofing, a once-essential, fully renewable building material.
The experience continued with traditional hand-milling of grains–wheat, finger millet, and rice, recalling a time before modern conveniences. The hut glowed with the warm flicker of Faanoozu oil lamps, a reminder of the simplicity of island life before the arrival of electricity.
No Maldivian celebration is complete without hedhika, and guests enjoyed freshly prepared favourites such as gulha, bajiya, masroshi, and keemiya, each carrying the flavours of home kitchens and long-held family recipes.
A Night to Remember
Children brought joyful energy to the festivities with a special Eid parade, filling the island with colour and excitement. As the evening closed, guests gathered along the shoreline to watch the Eid moon rise over the ocean–a quiet, luminous moment that captured the essence of the celebration: gratitude, unity and the timeless beauty of island life.
This year’s Eid at Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort was more than an event, it was a shared experience woven from culture, community, and the simple joy of being together. The resort looks forward to welcoming guests again next year to continue this cherished tradition.
For further information and reservations, please visit https://sirrufenfushi.com/ or contact reservations@sirrufenfushi.com.
Sun Siyam Olhuveli marked the joyous occasion of Eid Al Fitr on 20th March 2026 with a spirited celebration that brought team members together in a lively showcase of unity, culture, and camaraderie. Set against the backdrop of the resort’s sun-drenched shores, the Eid Beach Fiesta transformed the Water Sports Beach into a lively hub of laughter, friendly competition, and shared moments, reinforcing the strong sense of community that defines the resort.
The celebration featured a series of engaging activities including classic beach games such as the wheelbarrow race, three-legged race, water bucket challenge, and the playful “Kukudu Koo” catch-the-chicken challenge, as highlighted in the event programme. These light-hearted competitions encouraged collaboration across departments, breaking routines and fostering meaningful connections beyond the workplace.
Eid in the Maldives is a time of togetherness and celebration, marked by communal prayers, festive meals, and gatherings with family and friends. Inspired by these traditions, Sun Siyam Olhuveli embraced the spirit of Eid through shared joy, cultural moments, and meaningful connections.
As part of the evening festivities, key team members took to the stage at the Lagoon to perform traditional Boduberu, offering guests an authentic cultural experience and marking the celebration with rhythm, energy, and island spirit.
“At Sun Siyam Olhuveli, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Celebrations like Eid Al Fitr are not only about honoring tradition but also about nurturing the connections that make our workplace feel like a community,” said Ahmed Shazeen, Director of Human Resource at Sun Siyam Olhuveli. “It is these shared experiences that elevate team spirit and create a positive environment where everyone thrives.”
As part of the Lifestyle Collection under the House of Siyam, Sun Siyam Olhuveli continues to champion a culture where meaningful experiences extend beyond guests to include its dedicated team members. The Eid celebration stands as a reflection of this ethos, where culture, connection, and a touch of playful energy come together seamlessly on island time.
To discover more upcoming events and experiences at Sun Siyam Olhuveli, please visit the resort’s website.
Fushifaru Maldives marked Eid al-Fitr with a series of cultural experiences aimed at showcasing Maldivian heritage and community values, as part of its “Moments of Kindness” initiative.
The resort organised activities designed to reconnect guests with traditional island life, placing a focus on cultural authenticity and community engagement. According to the resort, the initiative sought to revive elements of Maldivian traditions and present them in an interactive format for both international visitors and the local community.
A key highlight of the celebrations was a dedicated Maldivian Night, which featured a live demonstration of Malayfaiy, a traditional communal cooking practice. The experience was complemented by shisha offerings and cooking demonstrations, providing guests with insight into historical culinary techniques and social customs in the Maldives.
The evening also included a Maldivian buffet showcasing a range of local dishes, giving guests the opportunity to experience traditional flavours in a curated setting.
Fushifaru Maldives stated that the programme aimed to create meaningful connections through shared cultural experiences, while preserving and promoting local traditions within a resort environment.
The Eid celebrations form part of the resort’s broader efforts to incorporate elements of Maldivian identity into guest experiences, aligning with growing industry emphasis on cultural sustainability and community-oriented tourism.
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