HISTORY & BACKGROUND

 

Bodu Beru is similar to some of the songs and dances found in east and south west Africa. It is likely that the music was introduced to The Maldives by sailors from the Indian Ocean region. It may be said that Bodu Beru first made an appearance in The Maldives in the 11^th Century AD, or possibly before that.

 

PERFORMANCE

 

Bodu Beru is performed by about 20 people, including three drummers and a lead singer. They are accompanied by a small bell, a set of drums also known as a bodu beru, and an onugandu, a small piece of bamboo with horizontal grooves, from which raspy sounds are produced by scraping. The songs may be of heroism, romance or satire. The prelude to the song is slow beat with emphasis on drumming and dancing. As the song reaches a crescendo, one or two dancers maintain the wild beat with their frantic movements ending in some cases in a trance.

 

The costume of the performers is a sarong and a white short sleeved shirt.

 

EVOLUTION

 

Bodu Beru evolved among the common citizens as an alterntive to court music. In the early days, the people gathered together to perform Bodu Beru, and it became widely accepted as the music of the common people. The performing of the music is often referred as “vibrating the island”. A notable point about Bodu Beru is its noise and sometimes meaningless lyrics sung. The lyrics do not have a meaning, because it consists of a mixture of local, neighboring and some African words. Today, meaningful songs written in the local language Dhivehi are sung to the rythem of Bodu Beru.

 

Bodu Beru is usually sung after a hard day’s work. The location is up to the performers. Today, Bodu Beru is an important item of entertainment at stage shows, celebrations and festivals.