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Eid Festival
The Maldives has been an Islamic country
since 1153 and the Islamic festival of
Eid has always been an important event
for the people. Even in the days of the
monarchy, special customs were followed
in the Eid. It includes special drumbeats
from 'Nabuskhan', a place where special
events are announced with drums, and the
official procession of the Sultan to the
Eid prayer. This procession was accompanied
by music and military displays. In the
islands special games are played. People
wear new clothes and are in a festive
mood.
Through the times the customs of celebrating
the Eid have changed. Now you can see
western and modern music shows held in
Male' and other islands. In addition brass
bands, cadets of schools and National
security service holds parades out in
the streets. The traditional games are
also now revived including baibala. There
are two Eids for Muslims, one after the
fasting days of Ramazan and the other
after the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. The
various cultural events associated with
these two Eids vary and are also different
from island to island. If a visitor wish
to see traditional events held during
these Eid festivals, a local island would
be the ideal one to visit.
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Kids having
funs during Eid festival |
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