Maamigili (Raa Atoll)

Porcelain jar decorated with Chinese mountain sceneries, prunus flowers and religious objects

Loama Museum is the only official Museum in a Hotel in the Maldives. The young museum collection spans from the Classical to British Colonial Period. These include native artifacts, foreign objects from the Early Modern or Colonial Period (1514-1828) and British Colonial Period (1828-1965), an Ancient Bath from the Classical Period (500 BCE-1153), and mausoleums from the Medieval Islamic Period (1153-1514).[1] The museum leads to ancient baths and a traditional house, which are located at the heritage site.[2]

Exhibits include Chinese porcelain that arrived during the Indian Ocean trade between Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Other artifacts from the collection represent the lifestyle of these coral atolls for centuries in the Indian Ocean and include grain measures, coconut oil production methods and equipment for lace.[2]

Vevu (Dhivehi) or bathing tanks, were used as public baths and later for ablution

Vevu (Dhivehi), also known as bathing tanks, were historically used as public baths and later for ablution. The construction period of these Vevu is uncertain, but the use of sandstone indicates a possibility in the pre-Islamic era (500 BCE-1153 CE). The symmetrical layout suggests a potential association with a temple. Similar baths can be found in other parts of the Maldives, some also featuring coral stone. The Vevu's construction involved layering sandstone blocks below the waterline up to half a meter above the ground. An octagonal ledge was cantilevered at low tide level to facilitate access to the well. Despite damages caused by natural and human factors during Maamigili's uninhabited period of at least 200 years, the Vevu is still regarded as an exemplary pre-Islamic coral stone structure.

An example of a traditional Maldivian house at Loama Resort Maldives at Maamigili

As part of the museum exhibit, Loama Museum showcases a traditional Maldivian house with a history of over 125 years in Kandholhudhoo. The house incorporates South Asian architectural designs, featuring teak panels and coral stone walls. Its dimensions are approximately 20 feet by 12 feet, and it is furnished with functional items for daily living.

Loama Art Gallery is affiliated with the National Art Gallery, Maldives, and shows contemporary art from the Maldives

Loama Art Gallery is associated with the National Art Gallery, Maldives, and focuses on contemporary art from the region. It provides a platform for both established and emerging artists to showcase and sell their work to diverse audiences, both local and international. The gallery contributes to the evolving landscape of contemporary art in the Maldives, reflecting changing themes and styles over the past few decades.

• National Museum (Maldives)
• History of the Maldives
• Culture of the Maldives
• Islam in the Maldives
• Buddhism in the Maldives

• Loama Resort Maldives at Maamigili
• Maldives National Art Gallery