Kōgaṇṇu (Dhivehi: ކޯގަންޱު) is the oldest and the biggest cemetery in the Maldives.[1] Kōgaṇṇu cemetery is located in the island of Meedhoo in Addu Atoll.[1]
| Kogannu | |
|---|---|
| Native name Dhivehi: ކޯގަންޱު | |
 Kogannu Cemetery | |
| Location | Meedhoo, Addu City, Addu Atoll, Maldives |
| Coordinates | 0°34′52″S 73°13′43″E / 0.5810°S 73.2287°E |
| Built | 900 years ago (between 1101-1200 CE) 12th century |
| Original use | Cemetery |
| Current use | Cemetery |
| Visitors | 10,000+ (in 2017) |
| Owner | Meedhoo Avashu Office Addu City Council Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage |
  Location in Maldives | |
History
editThe cemetery was built about 900 years ago for the purpose of burying the first Muslims of Addu Atoll.[2] It was built by Chief Justice Mohamed Shamsuddine and his three sons after being exiled from Male' by Sultan Mohamed Imaduddin I after failing to completely praise the Sultan.[3] The largest tombstone in the country is also found in this cemetery.[2] It is believed that this tombstone dates back to the 18th century and belongs to one of the royals of the Maldives.[3] Many historical writings of Maldives are found in Kōgaṇṇu.[3][4]
The cemetery has 1,535 tombstones and its believed that Queen Khadijah is buried in this cemetery, as well as Yoosuf Naib, the person who converted the people of Meedhoo to Islam and his supporters, and Chief Justice Mohamed Shamsuddin.[2][5][6] Kogannu also has 227 monuments.[7]
In 2017, some tombstones of Kogannu were vandalized and the Maldives Police Service sought to appeal an order by the Magistrate Court to protect the cemetery after claiming that it lacks people to be stationed there 24/7.[6][8]
Kōgaṇṇu is listed on the 2022 World Monuments Watch and is currently under process of receiving the World Heritage status.[1][5]
Architecture
editThe tombstones, mausolea and additional mosques were constructed from coral cut from the shallow reefs around the island.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Addu's Koagannu cemetery listed on 2022 World Monuments Watch". Sun. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ a b c Haalisaa, Aminath (1 April 2023). "މީދޫ ކޯގަންނު ގަބުރުސްތާނު - ތާރީހީ ގިނަަ ވާހަކަތަކެއް" [Meedhoo's Kogannu Cemetery - Many Historical Stories]. ThePress (in Divehi). Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ a b c Muhsin, Mohamed Fathih Abdul (12 December 2020). "Koagannu – A tale of time". The Times of Addu. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ Dhivehi Archives by Naajih Didi [@NaajihDidi] (February 5, 2022). "#DhivehiArchives An old coral gravestone with the inscription in old Divehi script commonly known as Dives Akuru in the Kōgaṇṇu Cemetery on Mīdū, Addu Atoll. The gravestone belongs to a female. 📷 Naajih 12/9/2018" (Tweet). Retrieved 5 February 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c "Koagannu Mosques and Cemetery". World Monuments Fund. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Police unable to protect Maldives' oldest cemetery from vandalism". Maldives Independent. 26 February 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ Ibrahim, Nafaahath (23 August 2019). "Maldives Heritage survey in Hulhumeedhoo completed". The Edition. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ Rasheed, Rushdha (26 February 2017). "Koagannu order appealed". Raajje TV. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
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