Spirits and Folklore in the Maldives – Uncovering the Supernatural

While you may associate evil spirits and demons with Halloween or horror movies, they are in fact, rooted in religious beliefs and folklore of different countries; the Maldives is one such destination.

Oral Tradition

While the closest you will get to ghosts and ghouls at a Maldives resort would be fun Halloween events, on inhabited islands, the supernatural is not taken lightly. Various tales and superstitions have been passed down orally through generations and some have even inspired costumes that are worn at certain local festivals.

The Belief in Jinni

Jinni or Jinn are linked with Muslim demonology and are believed to be malicious spirits that inhabit the earth and can take various forms including inanimate objects. Being a Muslim nation, this belief in the Jinni is something that is prevalent in the Maldives and these spirits are usually blamed when something unexplainable happens.

Conversion to Islam

According to one legend, a Jinni called Rannamaari was demanding young virgin girls be sacrificed on the full moon each month; a North African Arab named Abu Al Barakat intervened and drove Rannamaari away by reading from the Koran. According to this tale, it also led to Maldivians converting to Islam.

Other Local Spirits

The locals believe in other evil spirits too. “Baburu Koyyaa” is said to look like a small child and causes people harm at night, while “Kandumathi Elhun” is a spirit that takes various manifestations to impede seafaring travellers. You also get “Handi”, a spirit said to resemble a woman with long hair dressed in red.