Gov’t Launches Nationwide Oral History Project to Preserve Cultural Heritage

The Maldivian government has launched an initiative to document the nation’s ‘oral history’ with training programmes already in progress across the country, according to Adam Naseer Ibrahim, Minister of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage. 

This endeavour aims to capture the life stories and recollections of senior citizens to safeguard the country’s rich historical and cultural heritage.

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Minister Ibrahim stated that efforts are now underway to officially roll out the initiative, which involves systematically collecting oral histories from older generations. This process will include gathering relevant resources, materials, and translations to ensure a thorough historical record.

The Minister emphasised the value of this project, noting that many senior citizens have acquired unique local skills over the past five to six decades. Documenting these invaluable traits and characteristics will allow them to be preserved for future generations, contributing significantly to the development of the islands and the restoration of the true Maldivian identity.

“Under this national initiative, we are working with different islands to train people first. Introduce them to how this will work and how it is done,” Minister Ibrahim explained, detailing the practical approach to skill transfer and documentation.

He further described the initiative as a ‘huge task’ focused on identifying the distinct skills, characteristics, and inherent ingenuity of the Maldivian people. Minister Ibrahim pledged that the project would officially commence this year.