Maldives Embraces Senior Citizens in Cultural Exhibition to Safeguard Traditional Cuisine: What New Updates You Need to Know

In the Maldives, the new Rahafaiy Exhibition will showcase the culture and traditions of the Maldives and will also shine a light on the role of the elderly in practicing and conserving traditional ways of preparing food.

Elderly Legacy for Social Inclusion

For the first time, the Maldives is turning to its rich cultural heritage as a means for social inclusion. The Rahafaiy Exhibition features the vital role of elderly citizens in intergenerational knowledge and skills transfer. The exhibition, while featuring traditional food and beverages from the Maldives, tells the history of the Maldives through food. The exhibition features artisan meals made by elderly citizens who received recipes through generations of family traditions. The exhibition encourages the integration of elderly citizens into social and cultural activities. The intergenerational communication is particularly valuable as the exhibition narrates the stories of the elderly. The exhibition is a celebration of all the active roles elderly citizens take on in society, particularly the culinary traditions that center the Maldivian home and family structure, especially during Ramadan.

Preservation of Culinary Tradition Across Generations

The preservation of culinary traditions is exhibited through the traditional dishes of the Ramadan period, which is one of the most important times in the Maldives for food, family, and community. Culinary traditions of the Maldives are created through techniques and recipes that have been used for generations. The elderly of the Maldives are recognized for having the ‘Rahafaiy‘ knowing how to make traditional dishes to ensure that culinary traditions are preserved for future generations.

This exhibition proves that senior Maldivians deserve recognition for their active role in the preservation of culture, while also enhancing their public role in the celebration of their culture. The participation of senior Maldivians lessens the gap between generations and increases the awareness of the younger generations on the culture of the community.

Enhancing Social Cohesion and Mental Well-being

Experts in public health and social policies have noted the integration of the elder population into community activities, like the Rahafaiy exhibition, as an important factor in social cohesion, mental well-being, and purposeful engagement of seniors. Although many countries are experiencing similar public health challenges, the Maldives, with its rising life expectancy and evolving family structures, presents a unique case.

There were 77 exhibitors, and each participant had over 2,000 food items across various categories. An event highlight was the special feast with 33 traditional dishes prepared in honor of the elder participants and active members of the community. This gesture emphasizes the exhibition’s focus on the value of the senior population, rather than solely on the business aspect of the event.

An Educational Experience for Younger Generations

The Rahafaiy exhibition has taught children about more than just food traditions. Maldivian children have been taught about Maldivian food, the Dhivehi language, and the domestic traditions which are becoming rare in contemporary urban settings. This initiative is crucial in keeping alive the traditions and customs which are fundamental to the Maldivian culinary arts for generations to come.

The exhibition also hopes to promote the use of the Dhivehi language among children. Children’s practices have been profoundly changed due to urbanization and globalization, and public events that incorporate traditional food preparation techniques are a way of preserving Maldivian culture for future generations.

A New Model for Elderly Engagement

The Rahafaiy exhibition is also a reflection of the changing perception of older people in the Maldives. Instead of being viewed exclusively as passive recipients of care, older people are seen as active participants in the culture. This paradigm shift empowers older people, and it also changes the perception of their contributions to society by encouraging them to participate in more community-oriented activities, cultural events, and teaching them.

Through this exhibition, the Maldives demonstrates its commitment to creating spaces for all ages to participate in social and cultural activities. By establishing the exhibition as a ‘knowledge-sharing’ opportunity for older citizens of the Maldives, the Maldives continues to advocate for the cultural rights of its people.

Exhibition Closing Date: February 7

The Rahafaiy exhibition will close on February 7, 2026, and is open to the public with daily visiting hours scheduled for the afternoon and evening. Before the exhibition concludes, those interested in the cultural and culinary offerings of the Maldivian elders are invited to visit.

The exhibition exemplifies the urgent need to sustain and advocate for the practice of living traditions in an ever-changing world. By this commitment, the Maldives offers leadership to the world in advocating for the role of older citizens in cultural preservation.

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