Gallery

Maldives in the '70s: a story of culture and heritage in pictures

A collection of pictures shot by Frank Burnaby during his time in the Maldives from 1976 to 1977. Frank journeyed to Maldives with his wife Gayle, and they gave birth to a baby boy by the name Dhon Kokko, loosely translated to 'fair little child', in the island of Kudafolhudhoo, Alif Alif Atoll. The pictures depict the family's incorporation into the Maldivian culture in the '70s.

Gayle and Dhonkokko pictures with islanders on the beach. PHOTO: FRANK BURNABY

Abdullah, who was a friend of the family, swinging Dhon Kokko on a joali undhoali (traditional swing). PHOTO: FRANK BURNABY

Islanders pictured with Gayle. Frank stated that the islanders were very welcoming and helpful, bringing them food and helping them build a house. PHOTO: FRANK BURNABY

Sail dhoni (traditional boats) in the distance. PHOTO: FRANK BURNABY

Locals setting out for a trip on a sail dhoni (traditional boat). PHOTO: FRANK BURNABY

A bunch of Maldivian children on a sail dhoni (traditional boat). PHOTO: FRANK BURNABY

Frank playing chess with an elderly man of the island while children plays around him. PHOTO: FRANK BURNABY

A sail dhoni (traditional boat) full of passengers being pulled to shore. PHOTO: FRANK BURNABY

Maldivian girls pictured with kathi valhi (a strong knife used in everyday activities such as collecting firewood). PHOTO: FRANK BURNABY

Maldivian girls in hedhun buri and kandiki (traditional Maldivian attire). PHOTO: FRANK BURNABY

Three Maldivian boys. Little boys took part in island activities with their parents and usually were found outdoors. PHOTO: FRANK BURNABY

Frank's wife Gayle holding Dhon Kokko pictured with a family from the island. PHOTO: FRANK BURNABY

A Maldivian boy holding a reef fish. Children learned how to fish while they were fairly young. PHOTO: FRANK BURNABY

Frank Burnaby with his son Dhon Kokko. PHOTO: FRANK BURNABY

Gayle during her pregnancy in front of the house built for the family by people of Bodufolhudhoo. PHOTO: FRANK BURNABY

Gayle pictured with her son Dhon Kokko, sitting in a joali undhoali (traditional swing). PHOTO: FRANK BURNABY

Frank Burnaby's wife holding their son Dhon Kokko pictured with islanders on both sides. PHOTO: FRANK BURNABY

Three sail dhonis (traditional boat) in the lagoon of a Maldivian island. PHOTO: FRANK BURNABY

A small sail dhoni (traditional boat) in the Maldives during the '70s. PHOTO: FRANK BURNABY

A sail dhoni (traditional boat) of Maldives in the '70s. PHOTO: FRANK BURNABY