According to the Dhivehi dictionary, “Liye-laajehumaa” (traditional lacquerwork) is the art of carving wood mounted on a lathe using a chisel and applying lacquer to achieve the desired design.
“Liye-laajehumaa” is a compound word combining two crafts: “liyun” (carving) and “laajehumaa” (lacquering). Carving involves shaping wood using chisels while the wood is mounted on either a horizontal or vertical lathe. Lacquering refers to the process of applying lacquer to wooden items such as bowls, containers, vases, and rolling pins.
The lacquering process, known as “laa-fenkurun,” involves applying heated lacquer to pre-carved items. After initial lacquering and polishing, different colored lacquer is heated and its thin layers are stretched as needed, arranged on the item, and patterns are created using wooden knives. The surface is then polished using dried banana leaves. This technique was historically significant for preserving wooden architectural elements and items intended for long-term use.
Lacquerwork is a highly skilled craft that Maldivians have practiced for generations. The most skilled artisans of this craft were found in B. Thuladhoo. The craft was reportedly introduced to Thuladhoo by a man called Fares Don Moosa Bey, who learned it from Indian craftsmen.
Lacquerwork and lacquer finishing have a long history in Maldivian craftsmanship. Evidence of this can be found in the lacquered beams and ceilings of some of the oldest coral stone mosques across the country. The carved and lacquered pillars and posts demonstrate that Maldivians have been practicing this craft for centuries.
This craft is believed to have reached the Maldives through various countries known for lacquerwork, including China, Indonesia, and India. However, Maldivians have developed their own distinct style, characterized by specific colors, designs, and patterns that make their work immediately recognizable as Maldivian craftsmanship.
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