We all live in these same islands, yet we each lead separate, unique lives. Different Lives is a segment where we seek to appreciate and share the differences in shapes of lives in different households.
An ordinary family of six moved from the rural suburbs of a local island to Male’ City in pursuit of a better lifestyle and opportunities; a remarkably common custom in Maldives. This traditional family’s livelihood is encircled within the local traditions and cultures they practiced back at home as opposed to altering their way of life and acclimating to the city life filled with modernization.
The zest of this family skirts around their 2-year-old daughter whose quips never fail to lighten up the family on a sullen day. This dynamic little girl speaks mostly in modern English that is quite unfamiliar to her older parents as a result of her partiality for YouTube shorts, but never fails to induce laughter in the household with her peculiar words and phrasings.
“Sister, look...”
She had called out to me while I was captivated with her mother's recollection's of the family's routines and habits. Certain she had my attention; the little girl had proceeded to pronounce an English word that I couldn’t quite make out - but was clearly an expression of excitement - while energetically showing me a video of a European girl eating chocolate shoe candies with her father.
The first few hours in the day are the busiest hours for this family.
The mother - who is the forefront that guides the household - is roused from sleep at the first sign of light – sometimes earlier - and wakes the rest of the family to allow ample time to prepare for the day ahead. Her husband steps into his car to taxi cab services after Fajr prayer and she proceeds to prepare breakfast while the kids go about their individual morning routines.
“Fresh breakfast is always on the table before 6AM.”
The father returns home for tea and the family unites at the dinner table for their morning meal. These teatimes are usually spent in quiet harmony, torpid chatter, and deliberating the tasks ahead.
The children are sent to school afterwards and the mother and father leave for their respective jobs while the eldest daughter remains home to accompany her youngest sister who she shared is a source of significant relaxation and joy for her.
The family’s lifestyle in the city of Hulhumale' is quite uncomplicated. They have grown accustomed to the busy city life and rather enjoys the accessibility and exclusivity offered by a city.
The mother notes that it is a pleasant change from the festive and social nature of island life and remarked that the family quite enjoys their solitary circumstances.
“It’s easy to live in Male’. Only difficult thing is rent. I would even go as far as to say that life here is much easier than in the island. Everything is available here and we are a family that likes being alone,” she shared.
Revealing that they have not visited their native island in five years with a light chuckle, she affirmed that the family has no intention of moving back.
“Fridays are strictly for family…”
Evening strolls and beach fun is a habitual activity for this household on Fridays.
The family reproaches the nature of stepping outdoors solely for requisite activities such as work and school and regards these moments which enhances the harmony and unity of the household with great value.
They firmly disapprove of sending the kids out with people unrelated to them by blood and avoids allowing lone visits to other households to ensure they remain safe from undesirable incidents; a testament to the unconditional love they hold for their children. As a result of this principle, the family had grown to cherish these outings where they mingle and connect with the city.
The family also makes a point of reducing needless expenses and eating out. However, they dine in at restaurant at least once a month to relieve the children of their dreariness towards home cooked meals and foster a wholesome environment for the family to bond. Highly spirited debates enliven the house amid deciding on these dinner venues.
These recreational routines however are adjusted to adapt to the month of Ramadan.
The time they spend outdoors is significantly reduced but the family still displays and values acts of unity through the hours spent preparing for Iftar. This is a time of thrill, buzz and laughter that is equally contributed to by the men in the family with the family's shared distaste for iftar meals prepared outside of home.
The mother shared with amused exasperation that the kids love pizzas and sandwiches; any food item with protein on baked dough.
“We often prepare such recipes for Iftar but not too frequently. We don’t want their favorite foods to become repetitive.”
“What is one thing you love most about your life?”
The family’s love for their youngest daughter was made predominantly clear with their response to this question. They named their youngest without a moment of hesitation, further sharing that conceiving a child this late into life was an immense delight they remain eternally grateful for.
The mother had additionally expressed the fulfilment she receives from working a job and facilitating her own income source.
“I didn’t go to a job before so it is nice to be able to stand on my own two feet. I’m not all the way there yet though but that is something I intend to slowly change.”
Sign In
