Reconnecting with the Sea

The sea is infinite. Waves rise and fall like symphonies. The sea is an intimate part of who we are as Maldivians. Our life, culture, and society reflect the deep blue sea that surrounds us. Yet I wonder, are we losing our connection to the sea? Does our way of life reflect the cycles of the sea? 

On 15 January 1935, the Berkeley Daily Gazette wrote regarding the Maldivians, “They weave their own cloth, and make their own boats and nautical instruments. They are skilled navigators and spend much time on the water, fishing for bonito. Several of the islands maintain training schools for sailors.” This is just one of the many descriptions illustrating our long history and heritage as people of the sea, as skilled and industrious navigators. We don’t live in a world where one needs to know how to build their own boats and instruments, yet our affinity for the ocean remains ever so crucial. 

The sounds, sights, and scents of a city weave an illusion that clouds a fundamental truth of life. Our cleverness, ingenuity, and mighty technology pales compared to the forces of nature. We are at the mercy of these forces. Geological forces sculpted and formed the Maldivian islands over 68 million years ago, coinciding with a mass extinction of three-quarters of the plant and animal species on Earth. Over 10,000 years ago, the corals settled in the reefs, spawning a hotspot of life that rivals the densest rainforests in biodiversity. Attracted by the abundance in life, our ancestors sailed and settled here roughly 2,500 years ago. 

Concealed behind the concrete is a world far more magical than we can imagine. Our lives are significantly different compared to the lives of our forefathers. Our lives are better. We have access to modern medicine, we are connected to an endless library of knowledge at our fingertips, and we have the power to bend the forces of nature for our own benefit. Amid progress, we are losing our connection to the ocean. 

In the late 1990s, the Maldivian government launched an initiative called “Komme kujjakee fathan dhanna kujjeh” (Every Child Can Swim) to teach every Maldivian child how to swim confidently in the ocean. Unfortunately, the government abandoned the project midway. I propose we start with teaching every child how to swim once again and go beyond. Our environmental science books cover the geographical formation of our islands and teach our children about the variety of intricate coral reefs that call our reef home. Our children must see for themselves the coral colonies that are akin to a metropolis of a thousand marine life. They must swim alongside the animals that make life on our islands possible. Only then can they realize the second fundamental truth of our life: the interconnectedness of all life. 

Nothing is separate. Our lives are intertwined with forces beyond our control. Nowhere is it more evident than in the sea. At the most rudimentary level, the ocean generates 50-80% of the Earth’s oxygen. The ocean is the source of our food. The ocean is the global highway of the Maldives. The ocean is the foundation of the Maldives’ entire economy. Our largest two industries, tourism and fishing, is a blessing of our ocean. Above all, the ocean is the source of our inspiration, heritage, and way of life. Look at the interwoven patterns of our traditional stone carvings. Do they not reflect the fractal nature of the waves? 

Losing connection to the sea is a tragedy. Centralization in the early 1980s forced islanders from across the archipelago to move to the capital city. The dull hum of the overflowing vehicles and construction drowned out the sounds of the ocean. Wrought with exhaustion, many of us stopped hearing the ocean’s call. 

Living amongst us are phenomenal ambassadors of the ocean. A resurgence of ocean lovers is underway. Dive instructors across the archipelago are introducing curious young explorers to the underwater world. Swim instructors are fulfilling the legacy of “Komme kujjakee fathan dhanna kujjeh'' initiative. Marine conservation NGOs and biologists are constantly monitoring the health of coral reefs, and educating others on the reefs’ vital role to our society. Citizen scientists work alongside, collecting crucial data for further research. Surfers are conquering the ocean in ways our ancestors could not have imagined. It is not accurate to say that we have lost our connection to the ocean. Far from it. 

We need support at an institutional and policy-making level. Our policies must support the ambassadors of the ocean, not hinder their work. We need to look beyond petty differences and ideologies to come together and rekindle our society's relationship with the ocean again. After all, we are seafarers.