US Marines mark Eid with MNDF officers

23 December 2007
Report: Ayya

When hospitalman 3rd Class Christopher Blinson heard he was going to the Maldives, he glanced at the other sailors with a puzzled look. “What is the Maldives?” he thought. Little did he know, a month later he would be in the unfamiliar country dancing wildly to the beat of bodu beru drums.

Blinson, a hospital corpsman with Combat Logistics Battalion 11, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), and nearly 30 Marines and sailors from the MEU have been on the Laamu Atoll of the tropical nation since Dec. 14 conducting bi-lateral training with the 20th Special Task Force, Maldives National Defense Force.

Expecting to benefit strictly militarily, the Marines and sailors got a rare opportunity to experience the Maldivian culture Dec. 19 during Al Ha Eid, a holy day for Muslims. In addition to being a holy day, it was the day for the 11th MEU (SOC) and 20th STF social.

The 20th STF soldiers decorated a courtyard with welcome signs, torches and displays all made from palm trees, prepared cultural food, played drums, sang and danced late into the night.
The MNDF soldiers invited the MEU Marines and sailors to partake in the festivities.
“All Muslims participate in the holiday,” said Warrant Officer Amanulla Rasheed, the course officer for the current STF course. “Among other things, we sacrifice cattle and share the food with the poor people and relatives and do cultural dances and plays.”

After a feast of chicken curry, local fish, fresh fruit and buriyani, a dish similar to chicken fried rice, everyone made their way to the main event; the bodu beru dance.

The dance, parts of which originated from an ancient African dance, is specific to the Maldives and is done at all celebrations, said Rasheed.

As the resounding boom of the drums grew louder and louder so too did the crowds anticipation of what was to come.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” said Blinson, a 22-year-old Mesa Ariz. native. “They started singing and then a few soldiers came out of the group and started dancing in a way I’ve only seen on the Discovery Channel.”

Soon after the dancing started some of the soldiers went out into the crowd to bring Marines and sailors into the action.

“When they headed my way I knew what was going on,” said Blinson, grinning at the thought. “I just went up there and got crazy with them.”

Laughter erupted among the crowd when Blinson took to the dance floor and showed off his moves.

“I don’t know if doc Blinson was dancing, but he looked like he was having fun,” said Cpl. Louis Soto, an administrative clerk with CLB-11 and Chicago native.
Blinson said he didn’t shy away from dancing because he thought it was cool that they wanted him to be part of it and that they were not afraid to share that part of their culture.

As the evening came to a close some of the Marines, sailors and soldiers exchanged small gifts and currency and thought back on their time in the Maldives.

“I expected something totally different when I showed up,” said Blinson.

What he found upon arriving was very friendly people who are all about living peacefully and sharing their culture, he said.

“I made some friends while I was here and I will miss the nice people and beautiful beaches,” he said.

Whether it’s the tropical climate and gorgeous beaches or the people, the few Marines and sailors that got the opportunity to experience the Maldivian culture will surely remember it, said 1st Sgt. Adrian Gamboa, CLB-11 first sergeant.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said. “They went all out in every way just for us.”