Bodufenvalhuge Sidi

Among his descendants are Ahmed Mujuthaba and Mohamed Mustafa, who are both prominent in Maldivian administration and politics.

In 1925, an attempt was made to depose Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddheen III in favour of Prince Abdulla Imadhuddheen, son of the deposed King Siri Kula Sundhura Katthiri Bavana (Sultan Muhammad Imaadhuddheen VI).

The victim would be taken outside and given a thorough flogging with a cat-o-nine-tails until they were covered in blood, then lonumirus (chilli paste) would be applied to their wounds and they would be banished to a remote island.

Many of his maternal relatives from Addu Atoll regularly stopped at that island for provisions and water on their way to and from Malé.

He distributed his poetry, then banned by the government, to his associates in Malé through an ex-wife, Maavaa Kileygefaanu Gan'duvaru Goma, and his sister Bodufenvalhugey Dhon Didi.

Sidi remained on Maamakunudhoo Island for eight years until he was pardoned in a general amnesty following the forced abdication of King Shamsuddheen.

Sidi was one of the very few Maldivian people of modern times who understood the now-forgotten ancient Dhivehi letters in which parts of royal grants, warrants and deeds were written.

Until early in the twentieth century, all government correspondence to and from Addu Atoll was written using these ancient Dhivehi letters.

He also published a treatise on Maldive poetry called Dhivehi Lhen Hedhumuge Masaikaiytherikamuge Ran Tharaadhu.

By means of this small book Sidi wanted to clearly show that in ancient times Maldivians were writing from left to right in their own script.

Perhaps Sidi intended to publish a second, or perhaps even a third volume on the subject, but unfortunately this important Maldivian learned man died before being able to do so.