Monumental legacy: the Maldives’ largest coral tombstones

Among these, two towering coral tombstones stand out, not only for their size but for the remarkable story they tell – a story of artistry, lineage, and enduring respect.

These twin monoliths, each soaring seven feet 10 inches, mark the grave of Khadheeja Manikufaanu, a woman of noble descent whose life and legacy are intricately tied to the Maldives’ ruling dynasties. Housed within a dedicated enclosure, these rounded-top stones, indicating a female burial, are adorned with intricate carvings that reflect the pinnacle of Maldivian coral stone craftsmanship. Their sheer size and exquisite design suggest that Khadheeja was a figure of profound significance, revered by those who erected these monumental markers.

Historical records, meticulously copied in 1945/1946 CE by Musthafa Rasheed under the supervision of Adam Naseer Maniku, reveal Khadheeja Manikufaanu’s lineage. She was the daughter of Al-Kabeer Muhammad, descending from a line of prominent figures, including Al-Qadi Muhammad Shamsuddeen Bodu Fan’diyaaru Thakurufaanu. Her mother, Hawwa Beefaanu, connected her to the same lineage of nobility. The inscription on her tombstone, verified in 1979 by historian Mohamed Ibrahim Loutfi, notes her passing on June 30, 1776 CE, during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Muizzuddeen (Kalhu Bandaarain). A minor discrepancy in the records – whether her maternal ancestor was named Ali or Muhammad – has been clarified by local historian Ahmed Nasih, who asserts it was Al-Wazeer Al-Kabeer Muhammad Bodufuh Thakurufaanu.

Khadheeja’s legacy extends beyond her own life through her daughters, Aisha and Amina Manikufaanu, whose tombstones in Malé’s Friday Mosque cemetery offer further clues to their mother’s story. Aisha’s inscription, dated 1795 CE, and Amina’s, dated 1801 CE, reveal their noble lineage and their marriages to two brothers – Sultan Muhammad Muizzuddeen and Sultan Hassan Nooraddeen, sons of Sultan Al-Ghazi Hassan Izzuddeen (Dhon Bandaarain). These unions, forged during the brothers’ exile in Addu, cemented Khadheeja’s status as the mother-in-law to two sultans. The grand tombstones on her grave, reportedly crafted in Malé and transported to Meedhoo during Kalhu Bandaarain’s reign, stand as a testament to the brothers’ deep respect for her and their devotion to their wives.

The craftsmanship of these tombstones is a marvel of Maldivian artistry. The coral, intricately carved with designs typical of the period, showcases the skill of artisans who transformed a delicate material into enduring monuments. No other tombstones in the Maldives match their scale, though the Thakurufaanu Mosque compound in Hithadhoo houses slightly smaller coral stones marking the graves of Kilavathi Aisha Manika, wife of Sultan Hassan X, and her mother. Even in Malé, the largest intact tombstone, that of Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddeen II, stands at 5 feet 8 inches—impressive, but dwarfed by Khadheeja’s towering markers.

As the Maldives pushes to have its coral stone mosques recognized on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Koagandnu Cemetery’s tombstones deserve equal attention. These artifacts, particularly Khadheeja Manikufaanu’s monumental stones, are not just relics of the past but potential contenders for the title of the world’s largest coral tombstones. Their preservation is crucial, not only for their historical and cultural value but also for their global significance as masterpieces of coral stone artistry.

The story of Khadheeja Manikufaanu and her towering tombstones is more than a tale of nobility – it’s a celebration of Maldivian heritage, where artistry, lineage, and legacy converge in coral. As visitors stand before these giants in Meedhoo, they are reminded of a time when craftsmanship and respect for the departed created monuments that continue to captivate and inspire.

Naajih Didi is a history research analyst.