BAKARIKOSHI

We are all a herd of goats in a perpetual “koshi”; which means a goat-pen. A long time ago one of the presidents of Maldives remarked to a sovereign who was visiting the country that ‘goats should be held in goat-pens’. This was in response to the sovereigns curiosity on why the Maldivian masses come out to greet her, after all this was a Queen of one of most powerful European civilisations in the late 18th century, to why ought the people are kept at a distance confined into little groups of people behind stick fences.

Our identities start when a demon of sea was defeated by the sheer will and recitation of the Holy Quran by Abul-Barakathul Barbari.

Lots were drawn to choose a virgin that would be sacrificed to the sea demon. The state on which the girl is found every following morning is still unknown. Or I have not yet come across any text or writing depicting the details of how a sea monster devours a virgin girl.

Political upheaval was ripe between the Sultan and the monks who ruled the islands of Maldives. It would make sense that in order to diminish the power wielded by these monks, a Sultan can embrace a completely new religion that supports the demolition and eradication of other worshiping houses.