Lomafanu
Encyclopedia
Lōmāfānu or Loamaafaanu, also known by the Sanskrit
name Sasanam, are Maldivian
texts in the form of copper plates on which inscriptions have been added. The oldest of these plates dates from the twelfth century AD.
Many Old Maldivian
historical texts are found only in lomafanu form. The Divehi Akuru
script used on the plates, was named "evēla akuru" by H. C. P. Bell. Bell claimed that it resembled medieval Sinhala
script. According to the Isdū Lōmāfānu, monks from monasteries of the southern atoll of Haddhunmathi were brought to Malé and beheaded.
Besides the Lōmāfānu plates found in Haddhunmathi Atoll
, one of the most important Maldivian copperplates is the Bodugalu Miskiy Lōmāfānu found in Male'.
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
name Sasanam, are Maldivian
Maldives
The Maldives , , officially Republic of Maldives , also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and...
texts in the form of copper plates on which inscriptions have been added. The oldest of these plates dates from the twelfth century AD.
Many Old Maldivian
History of the Maldives
The Maldives is a nation consisting of 26 natural atolls, comprising 1192 islands-Historical setting:Since very ancient times, the Maldives were ruled by kings and occasionally queens ....
historical texts are found only in lomafanu form. The Divehi Akuru
Dhivehi Writing Systems
The Dhivehi or Divehi writing systems are the different scripts used by Maldivians during their history. The early Maldivian scripts fell into the abugida category, while the more recent Taana has characteristics of both an abugida and a true alphabet...
script used on the plates, was named "evēla akuru" by H. C. P. Bell. Bell claimed that it resembled medieval Sinhala
Sinhala alphabet
The Sinhala alphabet is an abugida used in Sri Lanka to write the official language Sinhala and also sometimes the liturgical languages Pali and Sanskrit...
script. According to the Isdū Lōmāfānu, monks from monasteries of the southern atoll of Haddhunmathi were brought to Malé and beheaded.
Besides the Lōmāfānu plates found in Haddhunmathi Atoll
Haddhunmathi Atoll
Haddhunmathi or Haddummati Atoll is an administrative division of the Maldives. It corresponds to the natural atoll of the same name.It is mostly rimmed by barrier reefs, the broadest of which are topped by islands...
, one of the most important Maldivian copperplates is the Bodugalu Miskiy Lōmāfānu found in Male'.
See also
- Dhivehi writing systemsDhivehi Writing SystemsThe Dhivehi or Divehi writing systems are the different scripts used by Maldivians during their history. The early Maldivian scripts fell into the abugida category, while the more recent Taana has characteristics of both an abugida and a true alphabet...
- Haddhunmathi AtollHaddhunmathi AtollHaddhunmathi or Haddummati Atoll is an administrative division of the Maldives. It corresponds to the natural atoll of the same name.It is mostly rimmed by barrier reefs, the broadest of which are topped by islands...
- Isdhoo (Laamu Atoll)Isdhoo (Laamu Atoll)Isdhoo or Isdū is one of the inhabited islands of Haddhunmathi Atoll, administrative code Laamu....
- Dhanbidhoo (Laamu Atoll)Dhanbidhoo (Laamu Atoll)Dhanbidhoo or Dambidū is one of the inhabited islands of Haddummati Atoll, administrative code Laamu.This island has large ruins from the historical Maldivian Buddhist era.-Dambidū Lōmāfānu:...