A Yemen traveller named Yoosuf Naib introduced Islam to the island many years before the rest of the Maldives converted to Islam. Kogannu cemetery is believed to be the first cemetery built in Maldives.
Approximately 900 year old Kogannu cemetery in Meedhoo is the oldest and the largest cemetery in the Maldives. It was built for the purpose of burying the first Muslims of Addu Atoll and as a center for learning Islamic religious education.
Mosques in the cemetery:
According to historical findings, a total of 8 mosques were built in the cemetery and each of these mosques belong to a different family. However, only 4 mosques are remaining in this cemetery now. They are Kogannu miskiy, Bodhaa miskiy, Atharaa miskiy and Fandiyaaru miskiy.
The first mosque built in the kogannu cemetery was Dhoo kendey miskiy. It was built in 538 A.H and was demolished in 600 A.H. There is no information about the family which built this mosque.
Keulhaari miskiy which was also built in 538 A.H belonged to a powerful family called keulhaaru. The mosque was demolished in 600 A.H.
Kogannu miskiy was built on top of the demolitions of Dhoo kendey miskiy in 600 A.H. This mosque belonged to Yahuyaa Naib’s family.
Bodhaa miskiy was built on top of the demolitions of Keulhaari miskiy in 600 A.H. This mosque was built by the Heneikamanaaru’s family.
Kila ge miskiy was built in 600 A.H. by Easa hamataaru kaleyge and Adafi kaleyge. It was demolished in 1373 A.H during Mohamed Amin’s presidential term.
Fandiyaaru miskiy was built in 1000 A.H, by Addu Bodu fadiyaaru named, Al Gaalil Kabeer Mohamed Samshuhdheen.
Atharaa miskiy was built in 1000 A.H, by Fanniyaru Dhon Easa kaleyge and Maavadhi Thakurufaan.
Dheshinaa miskiy was built in 1100 A.H, by Bodu Dhoshimenaa Thakurufaan. It was also demolished in 1373 A.H during Mohamed Amin’s presidential term.
Other structures:
Bodu keela
The largest tombstone in the country is also found in this cemetery. Bodu keela, is approximately 6ft tall. It is believed that this tombstone dates back to the 18th century and belongs to a royal member of the Maldives. It is said to be the gravestone of Dhon Bandarain’s sons; Al sulatan Hassan Nooradhdheen 1 and Al Sulatan Mohamed Muizdheen Kalhu Bandarain’s mother in law; Dhon khadheejabee’s gravestone.
Munnaaru
In olden days, the imam climbs up the munnaaru to call for the prayer adan (Bangi)
Tombstones
The families were buried adjacent to their own mosques and inside a boundary wall. There are different styles of tombstones which vary in different ranges. This is believed to be difference in authority / power of different people. They also differ in shape and size for genders and age.
Many historical writings of Maldives are found in kogannu. These shows the creativity and the craftsmanship of the early inhabitants of Meedhoo. The gravestones had Arabic, Eveylaa, Dhivehi and Latin fonts, used.
And according to some historical findings, the design of tombstones differ from one area / atoll / island of Maldives to the other area.
New entry gate
This is a modern building that is built near an entrance of the Kogaanu cemetery. No name is given to this structure and the construction process is still undertaking. The building mimics the other buildings that are built at the Kogannu cemetry by using of hirigaa and the roofing materials. The purpose of this building is unknown.
The structures in the cemetery are slowly disappearing as the place is not preserved well. Many damages are done to the structures by people who aren't aware about the importance of the island heritage. However, a group of people have now taken the responsibility to clean the historical place and to protect the structures.
Fandhiyaaru miskiy is preserved under the protection of Maldives Heritage Department.
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