In a celebration of the beauty and rich traditions of the Maldives, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has launched Nerulhu Auah, a cultural village dedicated to showcasing the Maldivian way of life. Located in the heart of Rangali Island, Nerulhu Auah offers an immersive experience for guests that honours the heritage and customs of the Maldivian people.

A cornerstone of Hilton’s Travel with Purpose Program, the Maldivian village is more than just an attraction. Its ethos lies in being a community-led initiative that reflects the resort’s deep-rooted commitment to eco-conscious travel and a mission to celebrate the island nation’s local communities. The village aims to foster a deep appreciation for Maldivian culture while creating unforgettable memories for guests through a diverse range of activities, exhibits, dining experiences and performances.

Visitors to the village are immediately whisked away on a cultural journey, with local communities taking centre stage, proudly showcasing their traditional and cultural practices to heighten appreciation of the nation’s heritage and increase awareness of the positive impact of responsible tourism.

Experiential highlights include Maldivian-themed buffets where women from neighbouring islands are invited to expertly craft dishes from local produce, typical to those they would make at home. Specialities will include sustainably sourced Maldivian lobster; popular Maldivian short eats infused with dried tuna, coconut and special herbs; as well as tantalising fish curries and freshly grilled seafood.

The village will also offer a visual feast of traditional arts to showcase the Maldives’ rich craft heritage which has its founding in ancient traditions that are still replicated today. The majority are created using raw materials that are readily accessible across the Maldives such as palm leaves, reeds, coral and wood. Guests will be able to witness the intricacy of palm leaf weaving and attend workshops on boat building and coconut coir-rope making. The creation of lacquered wooden ornaments, finely woven reed mats, coral carvings and thatch weaving will also be showcased. Importantly, the arts and crafts on display in the Maldivian village will be testaments to age-old skills passed from generation to generation.

Finally, guests will be captivated by the vibrant sound of Bodu Beru performances. Bodu Beru, which translates to ‘Big Drums’, is music in which to dance to. It is performed on almost all occasions in the Maldives, be it to rejoice when fishermen make successful catches or at festivals and weddings, to celebrate the simple joy of coming together. Starting with a slow and mellow beat, the pace increases to a high filled with fast, mesmerizing movements. Typically, Bodu Beru is performed by large groups of 10 to 15 men, including drummers, singers and dancers. Guests are invited to spectate and take part in the performance at the village and are sure to be left in awe of the rhythmic spirit of the Maldives.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is part of Hilton Honors®, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s 18 world-class brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount that can’t be found anywhere else and free standard WiFi. Members also have access to contactless technology exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app, where Hilton Honors members can check in, choose their room and access their room using Digital Key.

For more information or to book your experience, please visit www.conradmaldives.com/ or email mlehi.maldives@conradhotels.com or contact +960 6680629.