Nuts for Coconuts | Coconut Leaves

Shangri-La Villingili Resort & Spa - Maldives

When anyone speaks about the Maldives, often what come to your mind are the graceful coconut palms swaying in the ocean breeze, with its palm leaves trailing over the beautiful ivory sands beneath the white fluffy clouds. These coconut palms are also an integral part in the life of the Maldivians and its use is interwoven with the culture and lifestyle of these islanders. Coconut leaves used to make a variety of items ranging from thatched houses to children's toys.

Coconut leaves can grow up to 90 centimeters long! The pinnate, is used for decorating homes or as a decoration at special occasions like traditional wedding. Stalk or the spine of the leaves are used for firewood in traditional Maldivian kitchens while the midribs of the leaves are stripped from the leaves and utilized for making brooms, cooking skewers or even toothpicks. During the “Eid Festival,” the leaves are woven to create a ‘bodu mas’ (big fish) which is the fundamental part of the Maalineshun – a traditional form of dance portraying the struggle between a group of fishermen and a huge fish.

The dried coconut leaves are heat-treated (to make it last longer) and woven to make thatches for roofs or partitions for traditional homes in the olden days. Most resorts have adopted these thatches to roof the guest bungalows. Recently unveiled "Soneva Fushi Volunteer" program offers the option for you to learn the art of thatch-weaving from local experts and earn five nights accommodation free! The leaves are also used to weave household products like baskets, hats, floor mats, ornaments and bags. Hence, the coconut palm is a symbolic representation of the livelihood of the Maldivians.