HDH-VKD-14 | Gunbaru Bodu Gaa

Few people know the history of the area because it has long been covered in jungle. A number of structures have, however, been found here. When we first found the site, there was one structure still intact. Curious people visiting the site, however, subsequently damaged it. The structure is believed to date back to the pre-Islamic period, but was reused as a preaching pulpit (minbar) after the conversion of the local populationto Islam. It was used as an open-air place of prayer for Friday prayers, Eid prayers, and other important community events. The remains of at least five mosques and a large number of graves and human bones have been found in various places around this site. These facts indicate that this island was once densely populated and had multiple mosques for Friday prayers. My grandparents said that they came here to see the new moon on the first day of Ramadan from this site.

MHS Site No.: HDH-VKD-14
Interlocutor: Ibrahim Habeeb
Interviewer: Mohamed Shamran
Date: 27 February 2020
Atoll: Haa Dhaalu
Island: Vaikaradhoo
Address: Shaimaage