HDH-HNM-1 | Baa Hukuru Miskiyy (Old Friday Mosque) and cemetery

The cemetery is known by the name of Hanimaadhoo Gabrustan. The mosque is known as Baa Hukuru Miskiyy (Old Friday Mosque). It was still in use around 1968 when I visited the island. A number of historically important people, including Kalhu Umbusheymu from Gaafaru Island, are buried in this cemetery. Kalhu Umbusheymu’s grave is located in a bisthaan beside the well in front of the mosque. He was exiled to Hanimaadhoo Island due to political conflicts. He soon became seriously ill and was sent to Malé for treatment. He however passed away on the journey. He left a will that he should not be buried on Hanimaadhoo Island, as people here had treated him badly during his life. In spite of his illness, he was not even given water. In accordance with this will, the crew of the ship set out to bury him on another nearby island, but were unable to reach it. Three days later, the ship returned to Hanimaadhoo Island, and so he was buried here. There was a custom among the people to place three ladles on the grave of Kalhu Umbusheymu whenever they took water from the well. This was advised by the chiefs so as to appease his soul. This custom was no longer practiced after 1968 when people from Falihodaidhoo Island migrated to Hanimaadhoo Island, and a chief was appointed from among them. The new chief considered that this custom was a blameworthy ‘innovation’ in religious practice, and so it was abandoned.

MHS Site No.: HDH-HNM-1
Interlocutor: Abdul Razzaq Ibrahim (67)
Interviewer: Ibrahim Mujah
Date: 17 February 2020
Atoll: Haa Dhaalu
Island: Hanimaadhoo
Address: –