Written By: Meera Moosa

Ads By Velassaru Maldives - Universal Resorts

Much like Shakespeare’s tragic tale of Romeo and Juliet, the Maldives too, has its own version of a tragic love story.

What started as a folk poem that once danced on the lips of storytellers, the love of Dhon Hiyala and Alifulhu was later immortalised in writing.

The story begins on the shores of Buruni Island in Thaa Atoll, where Aisa lived with her husband Moosa. Though wealthy and in love, their lives were overshadowed by grief. For six long years, every child they conceived was lost at birth.

Aisa became pregnant once more. Fearing the same fate, she was unable to conceal her sadness. The day of birth arrived, and the couple grew anxious. Through whispered prayers and flickering shadows, Aisa gave birth to a healthy baby girl — so beautiful she seemed to light up the room. Moosa held her close and whispered, “My little Dhon Hiyala.” Knowing how quickly joy can draw envy, Moosa offered compensation to the midwife to keep the birth secret. She told the islanders that the child was stillborn. Moosa then built a hidden chamber in his home, where Hiyala grew up alone shielded from the world.

Meanwhile, on Hulhudheli island, famous for jewellers, lived a young man named Alifulhu. Although he came from wealth, he was humble, intelligent and handsome. Like his people, he too, was a talented goldsmith.

Ads By Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives

One night, a voice whispered to him in a dream: “On an island far away, you will find the love of your life. She is your destiny.”

With the voice still in his head, he went to his father and explained his desire to travel. Although reluctant, his father agreed on the condition that a boat would be built just for him. When it was ready, Alifulhu set sail. He travelled through many days and nights until he finally reached Buruni.

Within weeks, Alifulhu settled in Buruni. With his charm and skills, he became the island’s finest jeweller. Word of his talent reached Moosa, who invited him to dine at their home. Aisa prepared a scrumptious feast but when Alifulhu took his first bite, he winced. “It’s too salty,” he said. Aisa apologized and returned with something sweeter. Alifulhu took a bite and said, “This hurts my throat.”

Puzzled, Aisa asked her daughter for help. Although she was suspicious that Alifulhu only wanted to see her, Hiyala agreed. She took a cup of unwashed rice, added some water and put in her final ingredient: a handful of salt. She paired the rice with moldy rihaakuru and stale dried tuna and called her mother to take the plates.

Alifulhu took a bite, then another, until the plates were empty. He smiled and said, “This is delicious.”

Ads By Maldivian - Island Aviation Services Ltd

The next day, Hiyala asked her father for gold bangles. Moosa ordered some from Alifulhu, but without measurements the first pair was too large and the second too small. “Let me see the wrists I’m making bangles for,” Alifulhu said.  

Hiyala’s hands were shown through heavy drapes, just enough to take the measurement. Alifulhu was left speechless — her hands were so beautiful.

That evening, he delivered a pair of bangles to Moosa. When Hiyala slipped them on, they fit perfectly.

That night, unable to sleep, Hiyala quietly slipped out of her house for the first time. She went to Alifulhu’s workshop and found him sleeping.  “Alifulhu,” she whispered. Alifulhu opened his eyes, thinking he was dreaming. Hiyala laughed. They sat together talking, unaware that night was turning into dawn. Before Hiyala left, Alifulhu promised to ask for her hand in marriage.

Next morning, Alifulhu asked Moosa for his blessings to marry Dhon Hiyala. Moosa, heartbroken that his daughter had been discovered, sat in silence. But Aisa comforted him, saying, “He is kind, hard working and handsome. Perhaps a good match for our Hiyala.”

With the blessings from her parents, Dhon Hiyala married Alifulhu that night. The couple spent the rest of the night blissfully unaware of the fate that awaited them.

On an island far away lived Fagiru, a wicked man. One night, he dreamt of a hidden beauty on Buruni Island, a woman so radiant she seemed like a faiymini. He woke up with a desire to find her.

Next day, he pretended to be blind, claiming he sought help from Buruni’s healers. On his journey, he passed through a royal channel near Male’, and told the guards, “I will return with great fortune for the King.”

As he neared Buruni, Fagiru saw Alifulhu returning from fishing and pretended to fall into the sea. Without hesitation, Alifulhu dove in to save him. Fagiru, feigning blindness, said, “I have come seeking medicine. I know no one here.”  

Pitying him, Alifulhu brought him home. Hiyala felt uneasy but Alifulhu assured her, “He is harmless.”. Days passed, and Hiyala’s discomfort grew. One afternoon, while Hiyala bathed in the gifili, Fagiru hid in the shadows and watched her, confirming she was the woman from his dream.

The next day, Fagiru left to Male’ and went straight to the king. “A faiymini lives hidden in Buruni,” he said. “She is fit to be yours.”

Two days later, the king and his fleet arrived in Buruni. They reached Hiyala’s house and found her alone. When the king spoke to her, she ignored him.

When Alifulhu returned, the king ordered him to divorce Hiyala. Alifulhu refused. Furious, the king commanded his guards to attack. Alifulhu fought back fiercely. He broke free and grabbed Hiyala’s hand, and ran.

They leapt into their boat and set sail as the king’s fleet followed. Waves crashed violently as the royal ships closed in. Exhausted, Hiyala turned to Alifulhu and whispered, “I would rather die with you than be taken away from you.”

Tears filled Alifulhu’s eyes, “I love you.”

“I love you too,” she replied.  

They looked at each other one last time. Holding hands tightly, they jumped into the raging sea — choosing love in death over life apart.

It is said that their bodies were washed ashore and were buried side by side on an island in Thaa Atoll, where the wind and waves still whisper their names: Dhon Hiyala and Alifulhu.