Superstitious Beliefs

SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEFS
Superstition had been an outstanding component of the Maldivian culture and it was so in Maradhu island as well. This is for the most part due to the very nature of the islands and its society. However with the introduction of modern medicine and rapid evolution of the social development towards globalization has left many people of this belief in doubt and seems to be fading away from the society very fast.
In an island society, isolated from the rest of the world by vast seas, superstition and superstitious beliefs could play a vital role in the day-to-day life of its inhabitants.
For Maldivians, belief in the supernatural had, in the past, provided solutions for the most basic problems of survival.

FANDITHA & SIHURU

Fanditha is a generic term used to define certain traditional medical practices, magic and some astrological applications. It is curative and/or preventive. Today fanditha is most commonly used to bring good luck, for the fulfillment of ‘desires of the heart’, and for success and prosperity. It is also used in the performance of exorcism, in cases of possession by jinni. Fanditha can be used to cure diseases, protect one from evil spirits etc. A Fanditha spell can take the form of a charmed amulet, worn around the waist or upper arm, a glass of water to be drunk by the afflicted; incantations recited over the afflicted etc.
Sihuru (black magic) is causative and harmful. Sihuru is essentially employed to cause mischief and harm. It could be employed to drive a person insane, cause illness, inflict bodily harm or actually kill a person. Sihuru spells too, can take many forms. It can be a morsel of food fed to the victim, a coconut buried in the hearth, a black charm buried in the cemetery etc. The performance of sihuru is an offense under law and could result in severe punishment.

JINNI

Being a Muslim society, belief in the jinni is universal in the Maldives. It is believed that jinnis were created out of fire, and endowed with supernatural powers. Although normally invisible to the human eye, exponents in fanditha, and sihuru, and those possessed by these entities, are said to be able to see and communicate with them. In the traditional society, a special formula was recited before anything was thrown away, for fear of hitting a jinni that may happen to be lurking in the vicinity. Occasionally these entities are said to possess people. When this happens, the fanditha man was summoned and the offending jinni exorcised.

DHEVI

Dhevi is a generic term for spirits capable of possessing people.

VIGANI

Vigani was the ancient lord of death. It is said to inhabit both land and sea. It is said to be fond of rot and putrefaction. Although it is known to kill and devour human beings, the vigani mostly feeds on putrid meat and fish. It is believed that when the vigani haunts an island a single colored rainbow with, one end resting on the island and the other on the distant horizon, can be observed from the sea. This is supposed to be one of the most dangerous and frightening spirits in the Maldivian pantheon.

HANDI

Handi is spirit that takes the form of a fair woman with long disheveled hair, and is usually dressed in red. It is said to be able to travel at great speeds and harm people if disturbed. It is mostly seen in the afternoon or evening. The color red is associated with handi. When afflicted, the victim can be driven insane.

BABURU KOYYAA

This is an evil spirit that manifests mostly at night. It resembles a small, dark child and when disturbed causes harm to people. This is one of the most common forms of haunting in the country. It may manifest in almost any place, especially on dark nights.

FEREITHAA

Fereithaa is a generic term for a certain type of unpleasant spirit. It is malevolent and foul smelling. It can appear in any form and has eyes on the top of its head.

AVAHTEHI

This is a female spirit which appears in ragged clothes and long unruly hair. According to local beliefs, although invisible to the normal human being, an avahtehi can be domesticated to perform certain household chores. It is believed that these creatures can and do befriend humans. Avahtehi is a form shifting spirit.

KANDAMATHI EDUN

Kandamathi Edun is a phenomenon peculiar to the sea. It is known to afflict seafaring travelers. It manifests in diverse forms; a glowing ball of light, a dead body with the shroud, a ship full of lamps, breakers, reefs or even a heavy shower of rain. (It should be noted however, that in all cases the rainwater is salty!) When possessed it manifests, usually in one of these forms, around the vessel. In extreme cases, it is known to even manifest on the vessel itself. If the possession is from the rear of the vessel, the speed is favorably affected while; a forward manifestation drastically reduces it.

via:  http://www.maradhu.net/superstitious.html