Explaining harubas: Maldivian proverbs with love and wisdom

Turquoise waters, white sandy beaches and vibrant coral reefs - this is the Maldives the world knows. Visited by millions annually, every bit of the country has been explored twice over by bloggers, honeymooners, adventurers and luxury travellers. But beyond the picture perfect scenery, the people who call Maldives their home hold dear a lesser known treasure; their language, Dhivehi.

Dhivehi is the official language of the Maldives, a language so unique that only about 500,000 in the entire world understand its spoken and written form. Adding to its uniqueness is Thaana, the script in which Dhivehi is written - a letter system with origins as fascinating as the early days of Maldives itself.

Having evolved over the course of thousands of years, even today, Dhivehi carries the wisdom and essence of those who came before us. Almost as if in a time capsule, it is the linguistic art of the Dhivehi language that serves as a portal to this timeless wisdom - the folklore, poetry, and perhaps more significantly, the proverbs.

Taught in schools but learned from home, Dhivehi proverbs, otherwise known as ‘harubas’ are often woven into conversation by elders in moments of reflection and guidance, serving as classic guides to navigate life’s many challenges.

So, let us explore some of this Maldivian wisdom - who knows, one of these ‘harubas’ may be exactly what you needed today.

‘Kanve nan nuviyas, kan nuve nan nuvaasheve’

Don’t claim the name without earning the deed.

This harubas speaks on the importance of integrity and humility, reminding us that while our efforts may sometimes go unnoticed, it is never right to claim credit for others’ work. It carries a reminder that true character lies in doing what is right, regardless of external validation and accolades.

‘Vagakah haas dhuvaheve. Veriyakah eh dhuvaheve’

A thousand days for a thief, but the leader gets one.

This play on words offers a powerful reminder on the nature of consequences and justice. Just as a thief may steal for years evading justice, someone could go a long time without being held accountable for their wrongdoings. It is often used in a context where corrupt leaders are referred to as the thief, and the public as the leader. So, a corrupt person can only go so long before the truth comes to light, and consequences become inevitable - as the Maldivians believe, if not in this world, then in the hereafter.

‘Lafaa odiah isnuvaasheve. Dhuvaa odiah fas nuvaasheve’

Don’t rush when the boat arrives; don’t delay when it departs.

Maldives being an island nation, a lot of harubas take example from lived experiences - but this harubas talks about more than just being on time for a boat. It can be interpreted as advice on taking opportunities as they come, and not dwelling around when it is time to leave a situation. Time fleets and opportunities are hard to come by. So whether it be entering something new, or leaving something old behind, timing is key.

‘Isheennaane galeh nubalaa udhussai nugannaasheve’

Don’t fly away before scoping a place to land on.

This metaphoric phrase underscores the importance of preparation and being proactive in life, especially when making big decisions. Frequently used in conversation by elders, it advises against making impulsive decisions without prior planning or foresight - an ageless advice true even to this day. Another similar saying is ‘nufirukevenees dhuvan noolheysheve’ which translates to, ‘don’t attempt to run before you can crawl’.

‘Fooneh fayah fen nufuraasheve’

Don’t pour water into a bottomless vessel.

Another wise saying straight from the hearts of Maldivian ancestors, advising against wasting your time, energy and resources on situations that yield no result. It may be helping people who refuse to be helped, or investing in a project or career choice doomed to end in failure. Regardless of what the situation may be, this harubas guides you to value yourself and your time - after all, you cannot pour from an empty vessel when the right cause does come along.

‘Kaandhey athugai dhai nugannaasheve’

Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.

This one is pretty self explanatory. Coming from a place of love, this is a warning against being ungrateful, selfish and harming those in your life that provide you with support and care. Stemming from the strong hospitable and kind values of Maldivian culture, this harubas guides you to be more appreciative of the people and things around you, instead of being rude or dismissive about them.

‘Thimaa feyhunu iloshigandu hereynee thimaage lolasheve’

The ekel you sharpened will poke your eye.

Ekels are the hard straws that can be taken out from the mid ribs of coconut palm leaves. They can be sharpened with knives and used as a makeshift weapon of sorts. The more elaborate meaning of this saying is, if you sharpen an ekel with the intention of poking someone else’s eye with it, you may just end up poking your eye instead. In simple terms, what goes around comes around.

‘Dheymeeha dhinas kaa meeha kaanvaanee balaigenneve’

Even if someone offers, the receiver should consider while eating.

The tales of Maldivians’ neighbourliness and hospitality are ones as old as time. Even with little to none for themselves, Maldivians are said to have shared what they had with guests. This harubas stems directly from the heart of Maldives’ kind cultural values, reminding you to be considerate and mindful of the timing and circumstances before accepting what is offered to you. Sure, refusing to accept meals of gifts when offered may be considered rude in some cultures, which is why this harubas stresses on ‘eating with consideration’. While these are just a handful of the more common harubas used in the Dhivehi language, every single phrase comes from a place of love, guidance and advice. Times may change and the world may evolve, but Dhivehi harubas remain a guiding light for generations to come.