The majority of the population in Lakshadweep follows Islam and therefore the islands celebrate all the major Islamic Festivals like Eid-ul-Fitr, Milad-Ul-Nabi, Bakri-Eid, and Muharram. These festivals are celebrated with much enthusiasm in Lakshadweep that makes the islands colorful.
Though many tribal festivals are observed, yet they aren’t celebrated with that much enthusiasm and aren't visible as well. The islands of Lakshadweep have numerous mosques, enabling its visitors to witness all the major Islamic festivals being observed there. Eid-Ul-Fitr is the only festival, which is celebrated by everyone after the holy month of Ramadan.
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The men of this island mainly wear a coloured or a white dhoti around their waist and it goes up to their knees. They also tie a silver thread around their hip which mainly acts as a girdle to keep the dhotis firm around their waist. In some cases the women folk also tie this silver thread around their waist. The men mostly leave their upper part of the body bare but of late they have started wearing banyans and in cases of occasions they adorn themselves with cotton or silk drapery, invested with impressive embroidery. The elders use a turban as their headgear. The women of Lakshadweep wear a Libu or a long gown which runs from shoulders to ankles. The women also have a headgear commonly known as Phatugan. However the traditional attire of the women comprises of Kachi which envelopes from the waist and tucked into the waistband ofsilver thread. It is topped off by a full-sleeves close-fitting jacket around the waist. The main ornaments which are used by the women of Lakshadweep are a waist-ornament called Aranchan, bangles called Vala or Kodakam, for the wrists, ear-rings, Koodu and Alikkath, and a necklace, Urukku, are the popular jewellery items.
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Both Music and Dance in Lakshadweep are highly influenced by the Islam culture. One can get to hear the best of Lakshadweep music during many festivals and the important personal occasions like birth and marriage. These are also the time when you will get to see the colorful tribal dances here.
Kolkali dance, Parichakali dance and lava dance is the most famous of all. 'Opana' which is a Muslim dance performed in Kerala is also seen here. It is performed in all the marriage celebrations of Muslims.
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Two most abundant items on Lakshadweep islands are fishes and coconut and you will find both of them being used abundantly in the dishes here. In cuisine as well, one can find a huge influence of Kerala dishes in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Although some dishes in Lakshadweep are unlike any other. The restuarants here, apart from serving local cuisine, offer numerous inter-continental cuisine as well. The spicy and tangy delicacies will surely give you another reason to visit Lakshadweep islands again and again.
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According to the custom of the people of Lakshadweep when a child is born, it is named on the same or on the third day and the head of the baby is shaved on the 40th day after which a feast is arranged and offerings are made at important mosque. In case of boys a custom called Markakalyanag or more commonly known as circumcision takes place between 6 to12 years and the barber does the circumcision. For girls at the age of 1 to 2, ear boring is done. At the time of child birth, the father sends a small bed and a dress for the baby and once the baby is born, beaten rice and coconuts are sent to the houses of allrelatives. Marriages are allowed only within the same caste or community like a higher caste male can marry a woman of higher caste. The husband is obliged to make an annual payment towards the upkeep of his wife which is part of the marriage settlement and contract. There is no socialstigma to divorce nor is it a disqualification for a woman to seek fresh alliance. A wife can demand divorce on grounds of non-payment of customary due and adultery.
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In Lakshadweep, arts and crafts have always been an activity to kill time. However, in recent times, the arts and crafts of this sedate union territory has got a splendid boost since tourism has picked up in Lakshadweep. The unique handicrafts have started seeing the outside world by the way of tourist taking them to all corners of the globe. Items made up of coir are the most widely made and used items on the island. Lakshadweep is a conglomeration of corals, shells and oysters. These items are beautifully crafted and used in decorative items and in jewelery. You can buy these handicraft items from any street side stall or small shops set on the beaches itself.
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