Minicoy

thumb In the local language, Minicoy Island is called Maliku. Minicoy Island has a total area of around 5 km² and is shaped like an elongated crescent. It is surrounded by a coral reef, which forms a natural barrier and protects the island from the rough sea. People have lived on Minicoy Island for thousands of years, and there is evidence of this from the Neolithic period. The island has been ruled by various powers over the centuries, including the Cholas, the Arakkal kingdom, and the British. Minicoy Island became a part of India after the country's independence in 1947. The islanders are ethnically Dhivehi, the same as the Maldives, and their culture is heavily influenced by their seafaring heritage. The islanders follow a matrilineal system of inheritance, where property and other assets are passed down from mother to daughter. They are known for their traditional boat-making industry and also for their traditional dances like Lava dance, and Boduberu.