Thinadhoo (Huvadhu Atoll)
Thinadhoo City is the capital of Gaafu Dhaalu region in the atoll of Huvadhu and the proposed capital for the Upper South Province of the Maldives. It has its own dialect of Dhivehi which is considerably different from northern speech.
Thinadhoo City | |
|---|---|
| Thinadhoo City | |
 | |
  Thinadhoo City Location in Maldives | |
| Coordinates: 0°31′48.83″N 72°59′47.44″E | |
| Country | Maldives |
| Administrative atoll | Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll |
| Distance to Malé | 407.06 km (252.94 mi) |
| Government | |
| • Council | Thinadhoo City Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.192 km2 (0.460 sq mi) |
| Dimensions | |
| • Length | 1.560 km (0.969 mi) |
| • Width | 0.922 km (0.573 mi) |
| Population (2014)[1] | |
| • Total | 5,230 (including foreigners) |
| Time zone | UTC+05:00 (MST) |
It is pronounced as Thenadu in the Southern Maldives dialect.
The name Thinadhoo is derived from Euphorbia hirta, locally known as Thina Vina (Thina Weed) a pantropical weed used for herbal medicines which grew in the island.[2]
The island was formerly known as Havaru Thinadhoo and it was the traditional seat of the Atoll Chief. The island has a vibrant history of unrest and revolution.[3]
Thinadhoo was the wealthiest island in the country before it was forcefully depopulated and demolished entirely in 1962. The rich merchants of the island was known to have assisted even the capital when in need.[4][5]
City Status
On August 30, 2023, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih formally announced Thinadhoo Island in Gaafu Dhaal Atoll as a city, utilizing the authority granted to him by Section 51 (a) of the Maldives' Decentralisation Act (Law number 7/2010).[6]
The decision was made because of the island's significant population and its crucial role in delivering a diverse range of services to the inhabitants of the atolls.[7]
History
Early history
Written history of the island is sparse, but Thinadhoo is known to have a rich history.
Havaru Thinadhoo
The Havaru, also known as the military factions were sent to Thinadhoo during the time of Bodu Thakurufaanu.
When 'havaru' were given these six regions they leased them to the people of Thinadhoo under the Vaaru system. Each year Thinadhoo people were to send the annual Varuvaa (Tax) to the 'Havaru' based in Male'. This practice lasted till the sultanate of Muhammad Mueenuddeen I who was the sultan of the Maldives from 1798 to 1835.[10]
In addition to Thinadhoo there were 3 other islands undertaken by the Havaru. They were Kaadedhoo, Kannigili Kolhu and Kubbudu in Huvadhoo Atoll.[11]
During the time of Havaru, the island of Thinadhoo used Kaadedhoo for farming.[11]
Annual varuvaa or tax
The annual varuvaa (tax) sent to the Huvaru in Male' from Thinadhoo included:[2]
- 300 Boduvattey Bondi (a local type of dish)
- 1200 Kuduvatti (a local type of dish)
- 1200 Kaadeddhoo Kuna (local woven mat)
- 1 Hulhevi Kuna (local mat) from each household.
- 16 Wood blocks
- 1 Bokkura (a small local boat)
- 2 teaspoon of coconut oil from each person in Thinadhoo
- 1 Boikotte Boli (a type of shell) from each person in Thinadhoo
Ha Varu (Havaru or Six militia divisions)[2]
The Ha Varu were organized as two ranks of three divisions each:[2]
Is Thin Varu (Lead rank with three divisions)[2]
- Dhoshimeynaa Varu
- Velaanaa Varu
- Hakuraa Varu
Fas Thin Varu (Rear rank with three divisions)[2]
- Maafaiy Varu
- Dhaharaa Varu
- Faamuladheyri Varu.
Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam offered havaru the island of Thinadhoo, He ordered that the 'dhandu kolhu', 'medhu ruganddu' and 'Baraaseel' to be given to Havaru along with the islands of Thinadhoo Maahuttaa, Kaadedhdhoo and Kuddu. The island itself was renamed Havaru Thinadhoo signifying the occupation.
United Suvadive Republic
Havaru Thinadhoo was the economic hub of the United Suvadive Republic which formed a breakaway nation from Maldives.
Depopulation of Havaru Thinadhoo
On the 4th February 1962 the Kingdom of Maldives reacted by sending a fully armed gunboat to Havaru Thinadhoo commanded by Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir.
Enamaa boat incident
The Maldive boat Enamaa was carrying far more than its capacity of up to 126 when a wave overturned it. Twenty one people died with two missing when Enamaa capsized into the sea of Gaafu Dhaalu atoll on 17 March 2004.[12]
The Enamaa boat was traveling at nine and a half nautical miles per hour to Thinadhoo Island after watching the home team play a football match in Vilingili Island in Gaafu Alifu atoll.
Demography
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1959 | 6,000 | — |
| 1966 | 1,800 | −70.0% |
| 2006 | 4,442 | +146.8% |
| 2014 | 4,669 | +5.1% |
| 2022 | 6,217 | +33.2% |
| 2006-2022: Census populations Source: [14] Year 1959, The Maldives: New Stresses in an Old Nation [15] Year 1966, Siyaasee thaareekhu - Thinadhoo [16] Year 2022, Siyaasee thaareekhu - Thinadhoo [17] | ||
Education
Thinadhoo is served by 4 pre-schools, 2 primary schools, 1 secondary/high-school and 3 university/college campuses.[18]
- Maldives National University Thinadhoo Campus
- Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Education Centre
- Thinadhoo School
- Aboobakuru School
- MI Preschool and Daycare
- Uloomiyya Pre School
- Kangaroo kids M.M. International Preschool
- Ameer Ibrahim Pre School
- Avid College
- MI College
- Center for the Holy Quran
Transport
Kaadedhdhoo Domestic Airport is situated on a nearby island connected by speed boat.
References
- "Table PP5: Resident Population by sex, nationality and locality (administrative islands), 2014" (PDF). Population and Households Census 2014. National Bureau of Statistics. p. 36. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
- "ތިނަދޫ އަށް "ހަވަރުތިނަދޫ" ކިޔުނީ ކީއްވެ؟ އެއީ ފަހުރުވެރިވާން ޖެހޭ ނަމެއްތަ؟". Adhadu News.
- "Thinadhoo: Revolution, Bloodbath and Peace" (PDF).
- "Thinadhoo Council files transitional justice case regarding the 1962 forced depopulation by Maldives government".
- "އައްޒަގެ ދިރާސީ ބަސް: ސުވަދުންމަތީ މީހުންގެ ނުތަނަވަސްކަމުގެ ފެށުން".
- "Pres Solih grants city status to GDh. Thinadhoo". Avas.
- "GDh. Thinadhoo officially declared a city". Raajje MV.
- FRIAS, Xavier ROMERO (27 September 2023). "Rules for Maldi Vian Trading Ships Tra Velling Abroad (1925) and a Sojourn in Southern Ceylon". Politeja. jstor (40): 67–84. JSTOR 24920196.
- Bernard, Koechlin. "In: Archipel, 1979. Commerces et navires dans les mers du Sud". Notes sur l'histoire et le navire long-courrier, odi, aujourd'hui disparu, des Maldives. 18: 293.
- N. T. Hassan Didi (2005). "Kureege Huvadhoo Atholhu". Novelty Press.
- Ibrahim Luthufee, Mohamed. "GDh. Kaadedhdhoo falhuvun". Luthufee, M. I. (1992). GDH. Kaadedhdhoo Falhuvun. Faithoora (163): 15–20.
- Who is to take responsibility for the horrific Enamaa boat disaster? Accessed June 4, 2008. Archived 10 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- "Coordinate Distance Calculator". Boulter.com. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
- "Table 3.3: Total Maldivian Population by Islands" (PDF). National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
- Maloney, C (9 April 1947). "The Maldives: New Stresses in an Old Nation". Far Eastern Survey. 16 (7): 654–671. doi:10.2307/2643164. JSTOR 2643164.
- "Siyaasee thaareekhu - Thinadhoo" (PDF).
- "Year 2022, Table P5: Resident Population by island and sex" (PDF).
- "Ministry of Education Stat Book 2015" (PDF). Ministry of Education. Retrieved 24 April 2016.