A day at the Museum

As mentioned in an earlier post I took the boys and my niece to visit the National Museum during the holidays.  We got ourselves a guide,  who patiently explained to the kids all about the history and  all.  I was quite impressed by her enthusiasm.
Here are a few things I   took shots of and a little bit of history behind it.

During the time of Chinese silk route, Maldives was one of the stopping points of the Chinese merchants en route to  Africa and Arabia.  When they arrived they exchanged goods through the barter system. This beautiful China collection you see below was discovered buried in various areas and is said to have been bartered from the  Chinese. I remember when growing up my mother had one of these which was used as a mixing bowl.

Then there was the brass collection.

Below is a  Lacquer serving plate used to serve food for one of the Sultans.  The Maldives was a  Sultanate country before it became a Republic.

During the old days they  didn't use coins or paper money,  they used Cowrie shells as a form of money. Cowrie shells were abandant in Maldives

My son's favorite , the boat collection, various types of Dhoni, used for various purposes of travelling on the sea.

There were various other artefacts and pieces of history like some of the thrones used by the sultans, The various old dresses worn in the old days, and plates and cups of beautiful handiwork. 

I also discovered this, old measuring cups used during the old days,  first, there were the ones used for measuring dry ingredients such as rice, sugar and flour. 

from right to left :, Naalhi ( 1 kg)  , Laahi ( 250g)  , Bai Laahi  ( about 125g)

Below are the measuring units, made out of coconut shells, used for measuring liquids such  Rihaakuru ( fish paste ), Dhiyaa hakuru ( sugar syrup made out of  fresh toddy)

from Right to left :  Bai laahi ,  Laahi ,  Baaga ( aprox 560ml) ,Adubai (1.12 L) , Sorry couldnt find out the measurement of  Bai laahi and Laahi. 

National Museum is open every day except Fridays and public holidays.  Opening hours 10:00 am to 17:00pm. Admission for tourists is 50 Rf ( for adults, above 12 years), children under 12 its 15 Rf. 

For locals, Admission for Adults( above 12yrs) is  20 Rf, and 5 Rf for local children under 12 years.  

You can take photographs,as long as you don't use flash photography, they charge you 10 Rf for photography. 

Guide comes for free, just have to request for one at the counter. 

Overall, it was a great morning for the kids. I think its important for kids to learn about their country's history.