Maldives National Museum Built by the Chinese government as part of a UNESCO project planned for almost 20 years, the new Maldives National Museum officially opened in Male, the capital of the Maldives on Independence Day, Monday 26 July 2010.
The Museum is a large complex, which also includes the Sultans Park, showing mainly exhibits that were originally shown in the old museum building, which used to be at the nearby Sultan’s Palace, and separate building houses an exhibition of 120 faiykolhu or Maldivian legal deeds and other official documents dating from the 1600s to the 1930s. The complex is a calm space where people can take a bit of time out from the hectic pace of Male, to relax and improve their historical and cultural knowledge.
As well as the existing, fascinating collection, they are looking to acquire other private collections that people have in their homes.
This will give more opportunities to decipher the pieces of history of the Maldivians and its people as never before. Historians use old books and other things to interpret history, but in the case of the Maldives there were very few books and there were always many questions about where Maldivians came from and who they were before and after they converted to Islam. Thus far, such questions have remained unexplored, so it’s hoped with the new findings some of these issues can now be addressed.
The plan is to integrate the museum with the education system, and volunteers are very much needed to help facilitate this.
We’d love to hear also from any archivists, curators and other experts who would be able to volunteer their time and help out within the Museum, and develop ideas and workshops that will inspire the younger generations to protect their unique heritage.
Sultan’s Park and the Eden Project
An integral part of the new museum is the development of Sultan’s Park, situated between the two museum buildings, into a unique Maldivian botanical garden. It is in the process of being renovated, to turn it into a tranquil living garden museum – focusing on plants of the Maldives. We’d love to hear from specialists and gardening enthusiasts who would like to contribute and help make this park a special haven in the middle of the chaotic little city of Male!