As night fell, I walked down Finivaamagu Road. I spotted a woman walking down the road in traditional Maldivian dress, a libaas. I was following behind her. She wore a red outfit. Rekibea, an old friend of mine, told me about meeting a woman in our Dhadimago ward of Fuvahmulah while strolling down Finivaamago Road. “Her hair was decorated with flowers, and the smell of the flowers filled the air. She also wore ornaments on her hands”
He said as he went faster, and she did the same. “I took a run. And then she began running. I moved swiftly and came close to her. She did not look down or up. “I was about to stop and grab her.”
Rekibea couldn’t hold her, even being at arm’s length. Then she disappeared from view. I gazed down the street. I was unable to find her. “Then I knew that it was a handi.”
In Maldivian mythology people believed that Handi as a female and believe her to be a benign. spirit. Since the beginning of time, people have held superstitious beliefs. Superstitions involving ghosts, devils, and other “supernatural” entities are common among Maldivians.
According to Maldivians, malevolent spirits can take many different shapes. Handi is a spirit that looks like a lovely, long-haired woman who usually wears red. Some say that if it gets agitated, it might move quickly and hurt people. The afternoon or evening is when it happens most often.
People instantly think of handi when they see the color red. But according to some, it comes in a variety of colors. Affected individuals may experience mental instability. Some people think Handi likes fragrances and flowers.
According to a belief, Handi reside next to the poison bulb plant, known as Kendhulhu in our dialect. Additionally, this plant has a beautiful flower. We were cautioned to stay away from this plant and its flower, particularly at night. The handi takes over the human when someone picks a flower. The presence of handi makes those who pick the flower ill. Many people shunned this plant when we were kids.
Some of the supernatural beings mentioned in the myths and legends of the Maldives are said to be feminine in origin.
Xavier Romero Frías, a Spanish writer and academic, explains in his book ‘The Maldive Islanders’ that the word handi comes from Sanskrit. It comes from ‘Candi’. According to his book, it is a form of Devi. Devi possesses humans in Maldivian folklore.
In Maldivian mythology, the handi takes the shape of a woman and is depicted wearing a crimson dress and jewellery.
Red and poison bulb trees were urged to be avoided by the elderly. Mangroves, dense vegetation, frangipani, kaani, berebedi, and Erythrina variegata are said to be the places where these spirits live (boalha kinkiri maa). Many people also fear screw pine trees when it’s dark outside.
According to Maldivian legend, Handi can transform into a witch with claws and an evil-looking beast. However, in many cases, people believe that it does not transform into a creature if the person encountering it is either suffering from a high fever or has been distracted for several days.
There is a belief that the heels of some handi have claws. It is generally thought that this spirit is benign. However, it is thought that even the friendly spirit leaves the individual with an affliction of some kind that does not cause significant physical harm.
Friends of mine have also seen girls walking down the street at night without looking or turning their heads in any direction. Some of them had unintentionally followed the women on their bicycles, attempting to communicate. However, the ghost never responds and never stares at the person. They are dragged along the road by the woman’s captivating attractiveness. A high fever and illness can strike when he gets home.
