Ukulhas

Ukulhas
Inhabited island
Ukulhas Location in Maldives
Coordinates: 04°12′50″N 72°51′52″E / 4.21389°N 72.86444°E / 4.21389; 72.86444Coordinates: 04°12′50″N 72°51′52″E / 4.21389°N 72.86444°E / 4.21389; 72.86444
Country	Maldives
Administrative atoll	Alif Alif Atoll
Distance to Malé	71.91 km (44.68 mi)
Dimensions
• Length	1.025 km (0.637 mi)
• Width	0.225 km (0.140 mi)
Population
• Total	998
Time zone	MST (UTC+05:00)

Ukulhas(Dhivehi: އުކުޅަސް), one of the inhabited islands of Alif Alif Atoll, is a uniquely featured, environmentally friendly island in the maldives, famed for its cleanliness, well-maintained waste management system and also known as first systematically waste managed Island in the history of Republic of Maldives. Ukulhas conducts several cleaning and planting programs each year and organizes several awareness programs on waste management, marine ecosystems, and biodiversity. As being recognized as an environmental role model island in the Rep of Maldives, Ukulhas achieved Green Leaf award in the year 2014 for its outstanding services on protecting and preserving the Island's environment.

Geography

Ukulhas is close to the Northern boundary of Alif Alif Atoll, at 72° 51′ 52” E, 04° 12′ 54” N, 71.91 km to the East of the capital, Male'. It is an oval-shaped, flat coral sand cay, oriented North-West to South-East, 1025 meters long, 225 meters wide, for an area of 17.4 hectares.^[1][2]

People

Nearly every inhabitant knows more than one profession. A fisherman may not only know fishing, but also carpentry or masonry works. Fishing is the dominant occupation of this close-knit community, and the island is famed for its yellowfin tuna. The people of this island are famous for their braveness and strong adherence with each other. Most of the people are involved with different games. Football, volleyball, tennis, badminton and swimming are the common sport items in the island. The life of the island society is casual, peaceful, spiritual and family-oriented. Football, volleyball, tennis, badminton and swimming are common sports; there is even a football field.

Almost all are Sunni Muslims; local language is Dhivehi, however most people know and speak English language well. The people of the island are family oriented. As the Maldives is in the middle of Indian Ocean, the route has long been a meeting place for African, Arab, Malay and Indonesian mariners. This exchange has led to a very diverse culture; composed of many different ethnic groups. There are descendants of Tamil, Sinhalese, and Indians; all who live harmoniously yet are proud of their origins. The people of the Ukulhas have distinct physical features – “white smiles”, honey-colored eyes and brownish hair.

Politics

The island has had a series of political changes throughout the last couple of decades. Before the existence and the ratification of present constitution, the island had been entirely centralized by the central government. The island had a chief (Head of the Island) who had to be appointed by the Atoll chief (Head of Atoll). The atoll chief was a person who had to be appointed by the Minister of Atolls and Administration. Because of an autocratic rule which had been kept over the people by the government, the island chief had no power to make his own decision for his concern matters; he had to send messages to the Atoll office where the Atoll Chief had to get prior permission by Minister of Atolls and Administration before sending back the reply to the island office. So the minister had the fully power to control over the island and its people. Because of the appointees to the chief posts of the island and atoll, chiefs or heads were fully controlled by the Minister. As a result of those appointees, island people had no power to elect the people by themselves. Eventually disputes started to arise between chiefs and the people of the island. Island people did not have the right to decide what they wanted; beside that they had to accept whatever orders were given by the island chief, either good or bad.

After the ratification of the present constitution dated on 7 August 2008, within the democratic movement in the government everything had revolved. The centralized system of the government had changed into a decentralized system. Local governments were formed in the name of local councils. Councilors were elected by the people of the island. Councilors got the authority to make decisions in the name of island people. Councilors got the ful authority to decide what to do for their island and the people. They got the authority to utilize the resources within their jurisdiction outlined by the decentralization Act. Councilors, too, got the authority to pass local regulations well in accordance with the constitution, and ratified other laws and regulations.

Historical political changes in Ukulhas

1. Kathe Kaleyfaanu (javaahirumaage’) (at the time of Shamsudhin) (Grand Father of Ibrahim Ali, (Dhon Ibrahim), Reynige’ Dhonfuthu Kuda Katheebu (Brother of Maakudey)

2. Ibrahim Katheeb (Irumatheege’, Father of Kalhuthube’ and a grand father of Dhon Hassan) (At the time of Shamsuddin)

3. Katheebu Kujjage Bappa, Abdulla Katheeb (Grand Father of Hassan fulhu and Alifulhu)

4. Maakudey (Father of Hakeem) (At the time of Shamsudhin)

5. Katheeb Dhonbe’ or Bodu Katheeb (Father of Rashad) at the time of President Mohamed Ameen.

6. Khalid Katheeb, Reynige’ (Later he was an Imam) at the time of Mohamed Ameen and Mohamed Fareed) Naibs was Dhon Alifulhu.

7. Alifulhu Kuda Katheeb (Brother of Dhonfathima of Dhonthuthube’)

8. Mohamed Fauzee or Kuda Katheeb (Father of Hussain Fiyaz) at the time of president Ibrahim Nasir.

9. Waleed Khalid, Noovilaage’ (at the time of president Ibrahim Nasir)Khalid was an Imam, Naibs were Bodufolhudhoo Abdul Raheem and Kuramathi Raazee

10. Dhonthuthu or Ibrahim Adam, Kuda Katheeb, (when Mohamed Fauzee died) at the time of President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom. Waleed Khalid, Reynige was promoted to an Assistant Atoll Chief at the time of President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom.

11. Imad Khalid, Reynige’, Kuda Katheeb (was a former Family Health Worker, when Waleed promoted to Atoll Office), Dhonthuthu held the post of support staff.

12. Mohamed Khalid, Muringu, Kuda katheb (at the time of President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom)

13. Imad Khalid, Asseyri, Katheeb, (at the time of President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom)

14. Mohamed Khalid, Muringu, Katheeb, (at the time of President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom)

15. Abdul Latheef Imad, Kuda Katheeb (at the time of President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom)

16. Mohamed Khalid, Bodu Katheeb (at the time of President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom)

17. Imad Khalid, Kuda Katheeb, (at the time of President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom)

18. Shaukath Ibrahim, Udhares, (at the time of President Mohamed Nasheed)

19. 1st Ukulhas Council (Shaukath Ibrahim, Abdulla Firaq, Hussain Fiyaz, Ahmed Shahid Hassan and Ali Waheed at the time of President Mohamed Nasheed)

20. 2nd Ukulhas Council (Shaukath Ibrahim, Abdulla Firag, Ali Waheed, Mohamed Husnee and Ali Zameer Note: Till Khalid Kuda Katheeb, salaries were not paid officially by the government, instead of salaries; small portions were given from catches by fishing vessels, fruits and vegetables by trees etc. on a monthly basis.

Tourism

Tourism in Ukulhas formally started on 15 November 2012. The first guest house in Ukulhas is Ukulhas Inn which was founded by Mr. Ibrahim Shifaz Shaukath, Ever Blue, Aa. Ukulhas and registered on 12 September 2012. The First International tourist who visited Ukulhas formally was a Thai national named Mr. Bandarn Suetrong, who made the booking through agoda.com and travelled Maldives from Thailand. He visited Ukulhas on 15 Nov 2012 and departed on 18 Nov 2012 (stayed in Ukulhas for four days).

Culture

Ukulhas culture has been diversified by Arabs, Africans, Sinhalese, and Indians. Lifestyle and the ordinary dress of the man was very simple, consisting of drawers, a cloth bound around the loins, after the mode of the Singhalese, and a handkerchief twisted round the head. On special days, such as Fridays, when they attend the mosque, the high caste wears a shirt and jacket.

The women's costume is exceedingly becoming. A cloth is worn around the waist, and reaching down to the ankles, (mostly of native manufacture), coarse in texture, of a dark chocolate colour, with a border of parallel black and white stripes. Over this they wear a kind of loose shirt, or gown, of silk, with short sleeves, reaching nearly to the knees, which is not made to fit to the neck and shoulders, but is gathered in round them; the openings for the neck and arms are ornamented with embroidery in gold, silver, and silk thread. The hair, which is black, and generally long and thick, is tied up behind, and a handkerchief of the same colour as the shirt is bound round it. All ranks wear similar costumes, the distinctions of caste being marked by the difference in the quality of the silk material of which the shirt is made, and of the embroidery.

Maldivians were denoted for a great skill of manufacturing mats as though they were fond of great skill of lacquer and fine arts, which led them to hold their reputation upon their harmonious life and furnishing of their reputation. In Suvadiva Atoll of Maldives they were made from a grass called by the Maldivian hau; which were used with three colours of black, dark yellow and white and which were obtained from plants which were lasted quite a long time. Walls mostly were built from coconut thatch, which surrounded most of the houses at the height of six to seven feet. This impeded the free air passage especially as the windows where too small to admit the breezes, which results in some residents being unhealthy even though their houses were scrupulously clean. The Maldivian so-called design, was sometimes made apparent in case of illness, as many could have survived if they could have refrained from closing the passage of air. The inner compartment in the houses was used as a sleeping room in many of the houses, and this apartment also remains for women especially when they were not engaged in household or any other activity.

Pulling the fishing vessel ashore and pushing the fishing vessel offshore had been a remarkable exercise as until recently, residents were called up to gather by blowing a conch shell. The conch shell was blown by the chief of the island to gather residents for a particular work, and the shell was blown with particular intervals well in accordance with the required purpose. People were familiar to clarify and comprehend purpose of the blowing in accordance with blown intervals. For different purposes different people were gathered by blowing the conch shell with different intervals. The shell was kept in the safe at island office. When people were gathered the captain of the fishing vessel called to grab the rope which had been tied up with the vessel. By an instructed command and reading an ‘Anba’ (a traditional song) people started to pull the rope until the vessel stood ashore.

The other purposes of the conch shell sounding were, to gather males and female together or males and females separately, when females were called to gather sometimes when they required opening their forests to take logs or firewood to cook their meals. The forests were not allowed to be entered unless the island chief had given permission to enter into the forest. The conch shell was also blown for emergency purposes. During a declaration of emergency the chief blows the conch shell in short intervals. So the people first gather to the place where office was located and chief would let them to know the solemnity of what had been happening before they leave to the urgent incident.

Within the fort there would be many old canoes, some might be quite useless, being rusty and chocked with coral. Some were supposed to be serviceable while some are precisely not. The unserviceable canoes and fishing vessels would be taken back for firewood to cook their regular meals.

Fishing was their favourite exercise, however selling coir ropes and thatches made by islanders and a collection of cowry shells, turtle shells and ambergris were sold to produce their major income.

They were fond of kite-flying; but this pastime is only permitted at certain periods of the year especially when the season gets windy. During Eid festivals they compose and organise several road marched items; Maali which made by covering with thatches and plant leaves around the body, which were being unable to identify, with group of drummers were singing old songs and marched on the road. The people were gathered at some place until the singing and dancing group arrives. When the group had arrived they started to clap their hands by singing the same song, while some were being accompanied to the dance with the singing group. Before the program, famous girls got ready to prepare a bouquet decorated by flowers, birds made by thatches, and several herbs with other plant materials. When the drumming by the drummers gets to the climax, the decorated bouquet was presented and introduced by the most popular girls on the island. And with the rhythmic song two or three people would pick up the bouquet with dancing made to get calm down the song.

History

Historical Facts of Ukulhas

Mother of Sultan Mohamed Imadhudheen II (Dhiyamigilee Bandaarain) called ‘Kan'baa Aminath Binth Mohamed’ (Ukulhahu Bodu Kan’baafaanu) is known to be from Ukulhas.

Ukulhas won the 1st place on National Cultural Music Competition called ‘Thaarajehun’(Thaara was called a duff). Thaara has a traditional Ray skin drum head with tuning machines installed discreetly underneath the drum) at the time of Sultan Shamsuddin.

Ukulhas won the 1st place on National Island Cleaning Competition among the female sector at the time of President Mohamed Ameen.

Ukulhas recognizes one of the first islands which established formal schools in the island among all other inhabited islands of Maldives at the time of President Mohamed Ameen. The school was known ‘Reethi Madharusaa’ (Beautiful School)

Ukulhas won the 1st place on National Canoeing Competition (Gaumee Reyhah falijehumuge Mubaaraai) at the time of President Mohamed Ameen. By winning three times on National Fishing Competition in the year 1963, 1964, and 1965, Ukulhas had owned the National Fishing Trophy at the time of President Ibrahim Nasir.

Ukulhas was firstly electrified on 16 December 1982 by the initiation of Abdulla Ali, Green Villa in association with owners of fishing vessels and Ukulhas community. Firstly electricity was transferred by only a 10 KW generator to residences, four mosques Island office. Generator cost was MVR 26000, wiring MVR 1800 and the construction of power house was MVR 2500. Hence the total installation cost of electricity was MVR 46500. The highest contributors of the program were;

1.Mr. Ibrahim Ali (Irumatheege, Aa.Ukulhas)

2.Mr. Mohamed Khalid (Daisy Maage’, Aa. Ukulhas)

3.Late. Hassan Ahmed Fulhu (Javaahirumaage’, Aa.Ukulhas)

4.Mr. Ibrahim Ali (Green Villa, Aa.Ukulhas)

5.Late. Imad Khalid (Sharmeela Manzil, Aa.Ukulhas)

6.Mr. Ali Adam (Guleynooranmaage, Aa.Ukulhas)

7.Late. Waleed Khalid (Noovilaage’, Aa.Ukulhas)

Wiring and Generator installation were done by Island Chief of K.Hura Mr. Rasheed and the generator was imported from Singapore by Mr. Velanbuli Alifulhu, Ma.Velanbulige, Male’. The whole task was completed successfully at the time of the Island chief Late Waleed Khalid. (Ref; Report Book dated on 3rd Feb 1983.) Ukulhas is known to be the 1st electrified Island among all other inhabited islands (except Male’) in Maldives in the year 1982. The first time electricity was provided for only 4hrs, from 6 to 10 pm. Later on it was transformed and made for 6 hrs. Likewise it was extended gradually till 24 hrs a day. Ukulhas also known to be the 1st electrified island for 24 hrs a day (Except Male’) by the immense effort led by the Ukulhas people.

The first Cable TV center in the Maldives was established in Ukulhas in 1995 with the initiation of Ibrahim Ali (Bahaareege, AA Ukulhas) and Amir Khalid (Reynige, AA Ukulhas). At that time only 12 channels were rebroadcast by the Cable TV Centre to all the residences.

Like all other islands of Maldives, Ukulhas also had a series of historical changes throughout the centuries. The people, way of life, social, economic and political changes had been stepping forward in a periodic manner. Bracing back into the history of Ukulhas Island, the island itself had been encircled by a sandy beach, where no bridges, no sea walls ever had been built before. Due to lack of breaking water or sea wall facilities the island had experienced several endangered incidents had occurred by the huge waves breaking against innocent white sandy beaches. Large vessels were not used for fishing or any means of transport. Stepping ashore from a Dhoni (traditional fishing vessel) could be practiced by the hand of someone, who had been holding and controlling a canoe by his hand while working in the lagoon and the passage through the surf in these boats is dangerous at times.

People in the island appeared have regular features that tranquil expression usually found in Orientals. People were with different colors, such as quite fair, darker, complexions which approached a mahogany tint. The streets were straight, broad, and shaded with trees, and are kept very clean. Houses in the island were built of plaited coconut leaves plastered over with a stiff mud, and roofed with coconut leaves thatch; they were usually divided into two apartments, communicating by a doorway closed by a curtain, where front apartment is the general and sleeping room in, and is furnished with benches around the wall and a few stools beside a bed, which always the most conspicuous article of furniture in Maldivian house. This is suspended from the roof by chains or rope, the material of which depends upon the caste to which the proprietor belongs. High castes using brass chains, middle casts iron chains, and low casts coiled rope. The legs are also provided in order that the bed may be lowered down in case of illness, when the swinging motion to which it is liable would be social danger or annoyance to the patient. The furniture of the bed is a matter of great importance; high castes use a mattress and pillows of red silk; middle castes are content with cotton stuff; while low casts sleep on straw. The mattress on straw is covered with a mat, the pattern and quality of which are regulated by the caste of the owner. Ukulhas people were very quiet and reserved in their intercourse with foreigners until their confidence has been gained, when they had showed themselves hospitable to a degree. They had few wants and in, and as they possess the means of easily satisfying them, were inclined to be indolent; sober, honest, and cheerful, they had been comparing favourably with the inhabitants of many other Eastern countries. They were very ingenious and expert in their manufactures, and display great aptitude in the imitation of any European articles they may come across, such as knife handles, scales, and other small articles of daily use.

The trade of the Máldives must all pass through in Malé and is mostly carried on indolent on the principle of barter. The bazaar in Malé is the only one which exists in the group, and it is here that all the foreign trade is carried on. The shops are the personal property of the Sultan, who lets them out to a number of Bombay merchants, at rents varying from 15 rupees to 50 rupees per month. These Bombay merchants mostly sell rice and cotton goods to the natives, taking in exchange tortoise-shell, coconuts, cowries, and dried fish.

As like all the Maldivians, Ukulhas people had been following Islamic law that generally supposed that their conversation to the faith of prophet took place some 1400 years back. They had been following their religious procedures in particular. Their mosques were small and well built and kept in clean. Separate mosques were built for male and female worship. However the largest and most spacious mosque called Hukuru Miskiyu was set and used for the males as though their ceremonial prayers such as Friday prayers, Eid prayers, Eclipse prayer etc. were specialised for the males only and which the ceremony was so essential to the public. They were religious even though they had a strong belief of Devils. People were afraid of devils as though their superstitions exercise a great influence on their daily life. They had a belief that a Devil could make them responsible for all mishaps which befall which made them to expose themselves at nights unwillingly, for fair of meeting him.

Ukulhas had a trend of getting married at an early age. As soon as they matured, they hurried to get married with someone. According to Islam, polygamy was allowed, but the number of wives was limited to four, well in accordance with Islamic shari’ah. The marriage ceremony was extremely simple; a man satisfied the parents of his intended bride of their mutual wish to be joined in matrimony. The magistrate thereupon declared them to be man and wife, calling upon those assembled to be witnesses. It would readily be understood that a bond so lightly tied can be as easily severed; should a couple not agree, they would attend again before the magistrate, who after satisfying himself that both parties desired the separation, declared the marriage annulled.

Like all other Eastern countries, all household duties were left to women, whose main job was to prepare the meals for their husbands and family. They were not allowed to have their meals with their husbands; they kept wait until their husbands had fished their meal, when they retired to their own apartment for their repast. They were rarely allowed to go out during night time as the devils might disturb them.

Crimes were really rare in the island; the death penalty was never inflicted, the severest penalty being banishment to another inhabited island for a period commensurate with the offence committed. The most common punishment was castigation, the blows being dealt on the back and thighs with a sheet of leather inserted into a handle; but when the punishment was intended to be very severe iron nails were inserted in the leather, which cruelly lacerated the flesh; this must have been a very rare occurrence.

Ukulhas Health Centre

Before 1982 there were no provisions of formal health services in Ukulhas. Before 1982 Ukulhas people used to gain health services by traditional medical practitioners. Traditional medical practitioners were fond of knowing how to treat ill patients either by medically or surgically. Formal health services were first established in the island office on 7 June 1982 by creating a separate section and providing a local Family Health worker. Family Health worker was a person who only qualified for the provision of limited health services, such as local consultations, counseling, distribution of birth control medicines, dressing a wound, distribution of other symptomatic medicines etc. Family Health worker also visits local residences in a periodic manner to monitor their health standards in order to make records which have to be sent to the Concern Authorities.

After a several years of limited health services provided by a local Family Health worker, Ukulhas people had reached the fortune of experiencing a separate Health institution in the name of Health Post on 14 August 2004, with some more facilities and equipments available than a Family Health Section. Health post provided two trained traditional birth attendants with Family Health workers.

Health Center in Ukulhas was established on 1 June 2007 (after some years of Health post services) with a professional Medical Officer (Medical Doctor), Staff Nurses and Administrative staffs. Health Center is equipped with modern sophisticated equipments including, ECG machine, Nebulisation facilities, IV injections etc. People used to visit the Centre for their consultation each and every day to acquire treatments for their disorders. Medicines are ready to available from the ‘little pharmacy’ in the island. An ambulance is provided to take patients to the Health centre during urgent matters. Doctor is qualified to provide general medications as well as Accidents and emergency care. Doctor is also ready to attend emergency consultation for 24 hr a day.^[3][4]

Waste management in Ukulhas

Ukulhas is well regarded as an environment friendly Island where the waste is managed in a systematic manner. As a result of its outstanding services to protect and preserve the vulnerable environment, Ukulhas achieved the ‘Green Leaf Award’ by the Maldivian government in the year 2014. Ukulhas implements huge cleaning programs, planting programs, several programs on waste management and programs on marine and biodiversity. Hence today Ukulhas is exemplary island on dealing with mega environmental issues which results Ukulhas is marked as environmentally role model Island in its archipelago.

Today ukulhas islanders do not require going out for dump their garbage; Island council manages island wastes in a systematic manner. For outside trash management, dustbins are kept in an adequate distance everywhere in the island. People in the island may not require throw their litters such as cans, bottle, papers etc. Therefore, the island and its beaches are kept clean and tidy. In ukulhas, households manage their wastes by segregation, such as recyclable items (e.g.; aluminum, copper, steel, plastics, papers etc.), organic items (e.g.; food items), and plant materials (e.g.; leaves, stems etc.). After the segregation the wastes are kept in the houses. Except Friday, each day council pick-up visits houses to collect segregated wastes for disposing and managing; Fees are collected by the council for the waste management.

Collected house hold wastes are segregated by the ‘Waste Management Centre’ into organic items, Recyclable items and Plant materials. After the segregation wastes are disposed. Since landfill method is very common in Maldives, Ukulhas is one of the first islands where landfill method is not practiced.

Three major methods are used in ukulhas for the disposal; such as recycling, pyrolysis and Composting. Aluminium items such as beverage cans, copper such as wires, steel and aerosol cans, old steel furnishings or equipment, polyethylene and PET bottles, Glass bottles and jars etc. are separated. Recyclable items are sold once or twice a month. For the pyrolysis, plant items, wooden materials, card boards, magazines, light paper, etc. are placed on a decomposition chamber which is burned into charcoal and ash. For the composting, organic matters are decomposed and recycled as a fertilizer. It is a key ingredient for organic farming. For decompose organic matters such as leaves, ‘green’ food wastes are wetted make a heap and keep those heaps for a week or months to break down into humus. After the breaking down into humus, composed fertilizers are packed and labelled for the sale.^{[5][6][7][8][9]}

Restaurants and cafes

Ukulhas cafés and restaurants offer diversify cuisines including western, eastern, Indian, Thai, continental and Maldivian ones. As Ukulhas is famous for fishing, fishes have always been the most prominent element of Ukulhas food. Especially sea food dinner makes you the keen interest of Maldivian taste. Like other parts of Maldives, Ukulhas food is spicy even though restaurants are ready to meet up your taste requirements by making it milder. Sweet, sour, hot and spicy foods are common in Ukulhas.

Snacks are found to be in the name of Hedhika. Hedhika is the short eats popular in many restaurants and cafés. Hot and spicy savories are made of smoked fish, grated coconut, lime juice, onion and chili. It includes bajiya (pastry stuffed with fish), Kulhi boakibaa (fishcake), Keemia (fish rolls), gulha (fish balls), and masroshi (small pancake stuffed with fish). Sweet items are made from flour, sugar, and essence. It includes fonibaokibaa (cake made of flour), githeyo boakibaa (made of flour, onions and butter), and huni hakuru folhi (made of grated coconut, sugar and flour). Usual option is served to be a cup of black tea (kalhu sai) within the short eats. Ukulhas cafés and restaurants are opened each and every day from early morning to 1 am.

Traditional meal consists of rice, garudhiya (fish soup) and side dishes consists of chili, lemon and onion. Instead of garudhiya, fish paste known as rihaakuru and curries are also used. (These meals are served during Eid festivals, christening of child, Maulood festivals etc.)

Today Ukulhas meals have been highly affected by western items like sandwiches, margarine; jam noodles and pasta like items. For common meals, like other Maldivians, Ukulhas community uses many items for their everyday meals. Traditional recipe of breakfast and all the other meals have already been altered. Beside of it Roshi (chapatti), mashuni (made of grated coconut, fish, lemon and onions), curries (made from fish or vegetable or egg), are used as popular dishes for breakfast. For lunch variety of items are prepared. Most of the islanders take rice with various types of curries (e.g.: curries made by fish, vegetable, chicken, dhal, potato, egg etc.), salads, garudhiya (fish soup), fried fishes, fried chickens, barbecued grilled fishes, raw vegetables and many others. Those meals are also served with numerous types of drinks. Coconut and Orange juice are the most popular drinks within the meals in Ukulhas Island.

Variety of appetizers, deserts, cool, soft drinks and coffees are also available at the restaurants. Alcoholic beverages and pork are prohibited by law in the local islands as per Maldives is known to be a 100 percent Muslim country. However those are served in other resorts and Cruises.

Gymnasium and fitness training

'Body Work' in Ukulhas is the first ever established body building and fitness training institution in North Ari Atoll. Sophisticated equipment available such as, bench press machine, chest fly machine, shoulder press machine, let pull down machine, biceps curl machine, leg extension machine etc. The gym is organized and run by the oldest Association in the island known as Glorious Sports Club (GSC).

Climate

Ukulhas has a tropical climate however warm temperature year around could experience with sunshine. The warm climate has got relatively minor variation in daily temperature throughout a year period. The weather is seemed to large during monsoons. Southwest monsoon lasts from May to November when the northeast monsoon goes from December to April. April is the hottest in average and December is to be recorded as coolest season in average. The month February is notably seen as the driest season while December to April being relatively dries. Maldives is lucky to be remaining as a safe and harmonious country as severe storms are rare made by its location in the equatorial belt.

Cultural music in Ukulhas

Boduberu is one of the most popular forms of traditional music and dance founds in Ukulhas even in the Maldives too. Boduberu is performed by about 15 people, including four drummers with background and a lead singer. Bodu beru is played with a set of drums and an Onugan’du.

Onudgadu is a small piece of bamboo which lays horizontal grooves, from which raspy sounds are produced by scrapping. The songs may be of heroism, romance or satire. The prelude to the song is a slow with emphasis on drumming, and dancing. As the song reaches a crescendo, on or tow dancers maintain the wild beat with their frantic movements ending in some cases in a terrace. The costume of the performers is a sarong and white sleeved shirt.

Rahguda

Rahguda is the most famous boduberu group in the Ukulhas Island, also known one of the top ranked Boduberu groups among all the Boduberu groups in Maldives. Rahguda achieved the 2nd place at MNBC Boduberu challenge (The biggest Boduberu competition lively telecasted and organized by the biggest TV channel in the country, also the highest number of Boduberu group participated competition in the Maldives) in the year 2011. The Lead Vocalist position of the year also won by the lead sinsger Sihante’ from Rahguda. Rahguda appears with their special performances during the Eid festivals, Cleaning day events, Marriage Ceremonies’ etc. Rahguda also visits Male’ occasionally to perform in specials events by invitations.The most delightful thing is that Rahguda always does give their shows to the people of Ukulhas free of charge.

Kudamiski'y

The mosque (masjid) is known to be built at the time of Hukuru Miskiy (Old Friday Mosque) in Male’ dating from 1656. Coral-stone walls are intricately carved with patterns. Before the interior was superb and famed for its fine lacquer work and elaborate woodcarvings, but later on it was replaced by modern roofing sheets due to fungus occurrences. Now the mosque has been left for free due to insufficient space inside the premises for worship, which does not suite to allocate enough people in comparison with existing population of the island. But the monument itself indicates that the people used to live in the Island long time ago.

Ukulhas School

GCE Advance Level Education in Ukulhas Island

‘Ukulhahu School’ established in the island of Ukulhas is recognized and notified as the first ever A-Level institution in the North Ari Atoll in the history of its archipelago. The A Level studies program (A Level campaign) was started and initiated with an immense effort led by the people of Ukulhas Island. After the inauguration of the A-Level program, Ukulhas community composed an organizing and managing committee for the A-Level program in the name of "A Level Committee".

When the A-level committee emerged from the first day itself they started its functions, trying to cross all the steps towards its establishment and sustainability. With enormous and tremendous efforts led together by the A Level Committee and the citizens of ukulhas the A-Level program has reaped immense success as the first A- level batch of the institution achieved the national top ten awards.

For the continuity and sustainability of the ‘Ukulhas A Level program’ from the beginning, the citizens of ukulhas have been filling their commitment volunteering and providing free aid for all the students at all means if it is in relation with their academic progress. Qualified students from other islands are highly invited to join the program with Ukulhas Community providing everything required for the whole A Level program including travel costs, accommodation, clothing, uniform, pocket money, books, stationeries etc. Ukulhas community spends more than 1.5 million rufiyaa each year for the program. It’s a huge and a fantastic opportunity to join the ‘Ukulhas School’ to pursue A-Level studies in a gentle and a friendly environment. It’s also a golden opportunity to spend your higher secondary education days in an Island encircled with turquoise lagoons, marked by clean shady roads, filled with friendly and warm hearted people helping you out throughout ones studies. Students are also welcome to enjoy fishing during weekends and holidays.It’s a tremendous and a fabulous opportunity to receive placement in "Ukulhas School" which will be a great help in furthering your carrier and achieving your ambitions.

References

External links

• Ukulhas travel guide from Wikivoyage