Centuries-old tree torched in Baarah

A beach cordia, known locally as kaani, said to be planted by the national hero Bodu Thakurufaanu in HA. Baarah some 400 years ago, has been torched.

Baarah Council reports that the large tree was torched sometime during midnight Tuesday.

The tree was severely damaged in the incident.

The people behind the attack, or their motive, remains unclear.

According to Najeeh Didi, a local historian, the tree grew from a branch with Bodu Thakurufaaru put in the ground, to sew the sail of his famed boat ‘Kalhuohfummi.’

Bodu Thakurufaanu, or Sulṭan al-Ghaazee Muhammad Thakurufaanu al-A'uẓam, ruled over the Maldives from 1573 to 1585. He is known for fighting the Portuguese, who ruled over the Maldives from 1558–1573, after killing Sultan Ali VI in Male’.

His victory is commemorated in the Maldives as National Day.

In 2018, another tree said to be planted by Bodu Thakurufaanu was torched in HA. Thakandhoo.