Dhuvaafaru
| Dhuvaafaru | |
|---|---|
| Inhabited island | |
 Dhuvaafaru
|
|
| Coordinates: 05°37′42″N 73°02′30″E / 5.62833°N 73.04167°ECoordinates: 05°37′42″N 73°02′30″E / 5.62833°N 73.04167°E | |
| Country | Maldives |
| Administrative atoll | Raa Atoll |
| Distance to Malé | 169.3 km (105.2 mi) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.5416 km2 (0.2091 sq mi) |
| Dimensions | |
| • Length | 1.529 km (0.950 mi) |
| • Width | 0.468 km (0.291 mi) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 4,042 |
| • Density | 7,500/km2 (19,000/sq mi) |
| Time zone | MST (UTC+05:00) |
Dhuvaafaru (Dhivehi: ދުވާފަރު) is an inhabited island of Maldives located in the eastern edge of Raa Atoll. Resettlement of the island started on 14 December 2008 to inhabit the displaced residents of Kandholhudhoo (Raa Atoll) who were the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
The challenging task of resettling the tsunami victims and establishing a new island community on Dhuvaafaru was undertaken by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies under an agreement made with the Government of Maldives in May 2005. Though Dhuvaafaru was uninhabited till recent history, there is physical and literary proof of the island being inhabited over 200 years ago. The famous wartime hero Dhandahelu- depicted in story of Maldives independence war against Portuguese invasion in 17th Century- is named after this island and is referred to in the historical literature as Dhuvaafaru Dhandahelu (meaning Dhandahelu from Dhuvaafaru).
In the local Maldivian Dhivehi language, the island name of Dhuvaafaru is literally translated as "running reef". It is suggested that this name may have been derived from the ever-shifting shape of the island’s beach in different monsoons. Even today the shape of the beach and shoreline keeps changing consistently, especially during the rainy season.
There is historical evidence that Dhuvaafaru was populated around 15th Century and it may have been populated as late as 200 years ago. A famous associate of the Maldivian national hero Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam hails from Dhuvaafaru. This associate is popularly known as Dhuvaafaru Dhandahelu. According to Maldivian historical sources, Dhuvaafaru Dhandahelu was a young boy from the island of Dhuvaafaru who fought with Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam to free Maldives from the occupation of Portuguese. In traditional stories Dhuvaafaru Dhandahelu is portrayed as a vigilant and valiant person.
Even today there are signs of previous in-habitation of the island. On August 2005 an ancient area was discovered while trees were being cleared to make way for roads. This site sits on the south east side of Raa Atoll School. The cemetery, well and coral stone structure found from this location were officially protected as a place of historical significance. But little to none has been done to protect the area which is again concealed by wilderness.
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Wikipedia