Badi Alibeyge Mohamed Haleem: The Grandson of Assayyid Bodufenvalhuge Seedhee, Guardian of Dhivehi Seafaring Heritage and the Forgotten Links to Foalhavahi

The late Mr. Mohamed Haleem, the grandson of Assayyid Bodufenvalhuge Seedhee, President of the Maritime and Underwater Heritage Society of Maldives, shares his insights at an event in Ha. Utheemu.

Badialibeyge Mohamed Haleem G. Dhunfini (Dhunfinige), stands as a significant figure in modern Maldivian cultural preservation. A dedicated researcher, historian, and maritime heritage enthusiast, he devoted much of his life to safeguarding traditional Dhivehi seafaring knowledge. His most notable contributions center on documenting the historical and linguistic connections between the Maldives and the Chagos Archipelago, known locally as Foalhavahi  Through meticulous compilation of oral traditions, seafarer accounts, and place names, Haleem helped preserve a vital thread of Maldivian identity that links the archipelago’s southern maritime sphere to its northern heartland.

Early Life and Family Background

A serene moment captured of the late Mr. Mohamed Haleem, (the grandson of Assayyid Bodufenvalhuge Seedhee), standing by the seaside with the ocean and sky stretching endlessly behind him.

Mohamed Halim was born into a family with deep roots in Maldivian society. His father was Badi Alibege Ibrahim Haleem, and his mother was Amina Hussain of Bodufenvalhuge . He was the grandson of Assayyid Bodufenvalhuge Seedhee, connecting him to lineages that carried historical and cultural significance in the Maldives

During the era of President Ibrahim Nasir (1968–1978), Halim resided in Addu Atoll, Gan Island. This period marked a transformative phase in Maldivian history, characterized by modernization, the establishment of an airport on Gan, and increased engagement with the outside world. Living in Addu, a southern atoll with strong seafaring traditions and a history of interaction with British military presence, likely nurtured his interest in maritime routes, navigation, and the broader Indian Ocean world. Addu’s position made it a natural vantage point for understanding the Maldives’ southern extensions toward regions like Chagos.

Role in the Maritime and Underwater Heritage Society

Haleem played a leading role in the establishment of the Maritime and Underwater Heritage Society of Maldives (MUHS). He served as its President (sometimes referred to affectionately as “Haleem boys” or “Mr. Haleem” in society records) and was actively involved in practical heritage work. In 2015, as part of celebrations marking 50 years of Maldivian independence, the government commissioned the MUHS to build a replica of the legendary Kalhuohfummi  This historic vessel was famously used by national hero Mohamed Thakurufaanu and his brothers in their guerrilla resistance against Portuguese occupation in the 16th century.

Haleem contributed significantly to the project, working onsite during the vessel’s construction on Baa Atoll Maalhos using traditional techniques and materials, particularly specific coconut timber. The replica was completed and handed over to the nation, later displayed as a symbol of Maldivian resilience and maritime prowess. He collaborated closely with figures such as Koli Hassan Manik and Mandhu Mohammed Waheed, reinforcing the society’s mission to revive and document traditional boat-building and underwater cultural heritage.

Pioneering Research on Foalhavahi (Chagos Archipelago)

Haleem’s most enduring legacy lies in his documentation of Foalhavahi, the Dhivehi name for the Chagos Archipelago. Maldivian oral traditions and historical records have long described these southern atolls as part of the broader Maldivian maritime sphere. Fishermen and seafarers occasionally reached or became stranded on these islands, maintaining navigational knowledge of hazardous reefs and channels.

Through painstaking research, Haleem compiled traditional Dhivehi names for the islands and atolls of Foalhavahi. Drawing from the travel notes of early Maldivian seafarers, merchants, and ship captains, he recorded both indigenous names and foreign . These compilations are preserved in the important reference work “Foalhavahi Furayfu” (or Fureyfu), particularly on pages 27, 28, 29, 52, and 53. “Furayfu” refers to a compiled lexicon , reference book in the Dhivehi tradition, making Haleem’s work a vital bridge between living oral knowledge and written heritage

He sought to conduct field research in the southern atolls, including attempts to visit Kandhoo Atoll ( Holhimadulu ) and Island associated with Peros Banhos in the Chagos group. Unfortunately, these efforts were hindered by lack of permissions. Despite these challenges, his archival and oral-history approach yielded rich documentation of Maldivian seafaring knowledge.

Map highlighting the islands of Holhimadulu Atoll, known as Peros Banhos, showing various islands such as Kandhoo, surrounded by vibrant reefs and channels.

Broader Contributions to Dhivehi Heritage

Beyond Chagos-specific research, Haleem systematically recorded:

• Dhivehi and scientific names of marine life found in the seas of the Maldives

• Names of dry lands, islands, and geographical features across the archipelago.

• Specific place names, including Desert Islands and those on (Giri Faru) specific coral reef formations

  This comprehensive approach reflected his passion for Dhivehi history, heritage, and culture as a whole. By capturing both living and linguistic knowledge, he helped ensure that traditional ecological and navigational wisdom, passed down through generations of seafarers, would not be lost to modernization.

Legacy and Contemporary Relevance

Badialibeyge Mohamed Halim’s work holds particular significance today amid renewed discussions about historical ties between the Maldives and the Chagos Archipelago. Maldivian claims often reference 16th-century documents, such as those attributed to Sultan Hasan IX (Dom Manuel), which asserted sovereignty over southern islands including references to “seven islands of Pullobay.” Haleem’s documentation of seafarer names and routes provides grassroots, cultural evidence that complements these archival sources.

His efforts exemplify the role of individual researchers in preserving intangible cultural heritage. In an era when traditional navigation skills and local toponyms risk fading, Haleem’s compilations serve as a foundational resource for historians, linguists, heritage organizations, and policymakers.

The Kalhuohfummi replica, and the pages of Foalhavahi Furayfu. He represents a generation of Maldivians who, through quiet dedication, kept alive the stories of the sea that define the nation’s identity.

Badialibeyge Mohamed Haleem was far more than a researcher, he was a guardian of Maldivian maritime memory. By meticulously recording the names, routes, and knowledge of Dhivehi seafarers, especially in relation to Foalhavahi, he ensured that the deep historical and cultural connections across the Indian Ocean would continue to inform future generations. His legacy reminds us that heritage is not merely preserved in grand monuments or official records, but also in the patient work of those who listen to the voices of sailors, fishermen, and elders who once navigated these waters.