Description Of The Maldives

This slim volume about Maldives was written by the author during his five years stay in those islands, as a result of being shipwrecked there. Nevertheless, Pyrard took pains to learn the local Dhivehi language. By doing so he was able to achieve an insight into Maldivian society never before experienced by a European. He took extensive notes regarding Dhivehi culture, customs and history. The author presents a lively and personal account, and offers vivid, and often amusing, description of many of the islands? aspects, some of which arethe geography and topography, people and their customs and manners, the trade, the produce, the system of government, etc. The time spanning this narrative is from circa 1601 to 1606 AD.