Nakaiy-Monsoon Calendar
Maldives being a nation that is ninety nine percent sea and one percent land, the weather obviously plays a significant role in day to day life. Since ancient times, the Maldivian people have organized their lives around a calendar of nakaiy comprising a series of thirteen or fourteen day intervals, each with a predictable weather pattern. Every year brings two monsoons, Iruvai known as the north-east monsoon and Hulhangu is the south-west monsoon. To a visitor, this simply means the hot and dry season and west season. Iruvai meaning hot and dry. Hulhangu meaning hot and west season.
But to the Maldivian people, each monsoon means a series of nakaiy which determine lifestyles for the next six months. This calendar is still in use today to determine the best times to fish, travel or cultivate crops. Some people even use it before planning a marriage or building a house. It is said, for example, that children born in Maa nakaiy will attain high levels in life and that those born in Uthura nakaiy will be deeply religious.
The Nakaiy Calendar goes something like this:
Iruvai
Dec 10 to Dec 22 Mula, Strong winds, rough seas. Fishing in the north is good
Dec 23 to Jan 5 Furahalha, Strong north easterly winds, rough seas. A good fishing season in the north
Jan 6 to Jan 18 Uthurahalha, Clear blue skies, strong winds and rough seas
Jan 19 to Jan 31 Huvan, Calm seas, blue skies. Fishing in the east is good.
Feb 1 to Feb 13 Dhinasha, North-easterly winds, moderate seas, plenty of sunshine
Feb 14 to Feb 26 Hiyaviha, Seas are calm, days and nights are hot.
Feb 27 to Mar 11 Furabadhuruva, Frequent, short sharp bursts of thunder and lightning. Small plants and bushes are cut down, left to dry and then burnt
Mar 12 to Mar 25 Fasbadhuruva, Usually clear blue skies. If thunder is frequent during this period, local lore says the yam harvest will be good for the year
Mar 26 to Apr 7 Reyva, If storms occur they may be severe. Fishing is good in the north. Some trees are cut down and burnt.
Hulhangu
Apr 8 to Apr 21 Assidha, Begins with a storm, then becomes hot and dry. People allow themselves to be wet by the first rains, believing it will bring them good luck. Fishing is poor, millet and trees are planted.
Apr 22 to May 5 Burunu, Begins with a storm and strong winds, then becomes calm. Fields are cleared, trees chopped and seeds sown.
May 6 to May 19 Kethi, Dark clouds, frequent rains. Dried leaves are burnt and the ashes spread over the fields. Sowing continues.
May 20 to Jun 2 Roanu, Storms, strong winds and rough seas. Fields are sown on some islands during this period
Jun 3 to Jun 16 Miyahelia, Storms, rough seas and strong westerly winds. Fields are sown and weeded.
Jun 17 to Jun 30 Adha, South westerly winds, light rain and schools of fish. Fields are weeded and transplanted.
Jul 1 to Jul 14 Funoas, Storms and rough seas with frequent sudden gales. Weeding and transplanting continues.
Jul 15 to Jul 28 Fus, Wet and overcast. Fishing is good.
Jul 29 to Aug 10 Ahuliha, Less Frequent storms, calmer days. Grain harvests are reaped.
Aug 11 to Aug 23 Maa, Generally calm. Harvesting continues.
Aug 24 to Sept 6 Fura, Isolated showers, usually dry with light north westerly winds. Harvesting continues.
Sep 7 to Sep 20 Uthura, Strong north westerly winds, isolated showers
Sept 21 to Oct 3 Atha, Generally clear and calm with isolated showers
Oct 4 to Oct 17 Hitha, Light winds and isolated showers
Oct 18 to Oct 30 Hey, Strong winds from all directions.Fishing is excellent and the markets are filled with large tuna.
Nov 1 to Nov 13 Viha, Calm days. Fishing is good.
Nov 14 to Nov 26 Nora, Light winds, some sun showers. Sea current are unsettled as the north-east monsoon approaches
Nov 27 to Dec 9 Dosha, Light north-easterly winds. Good fishing.
In tourist jargon, the seasons are described as high and low. From November through to April, tourists flock to the islands to enjoy clear blue skies and tropical sunshine. From May until October, the weather can be temperamental – a mixed bag of sunshine, showers and storms – and tourist prices are slashed to entice visitors in spite of the weather.
Year round the temperature rarely falls below 25degC most often settling around 30degC.
