Here in Maldives, where the population is 300,000+, a staggering 50,000+ foreigners are employed for various professions. So it ain't surprising that we've come up with a few terms such as
Bangaalhu Meehun: used to refer Bangladeshi ppl, who are perhaps the most common of all foreign empoyees here.
Loakuda Meehun: "Loa" means eye, "kuda" means little. Thus this is used in reference to East Asians from Japan, China, Thailand etc, who are easily distinguishable because of their eyes.
Guestun: Probably the most illogical of all the terms. This word was originally formed from the English word "Guest", & was first used in reference to European tourists during the days this country established the tourism industry. "Guestun" is commonly used to refer to whites by the elderly population.
Baburun: An old word, used to refer Black Africans. I don't really know why we decided to call them that. Can anyone help me?
Bangaalheen: Not to be confused with "Bangaalhu Meehun". This is a term that is unique; it refers to Indians, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis & more recently, even Nepalis. This word is, unfortunately used rather negatively, mainly from people who get disgruntled at the sight of Bangaalheen at the turn of every road & street in Male'. (come on admit it! dont u feel the same way??)
7 comments:
nice one ;)
absolutely true! and errrm..india orilanka meehunney ves kiyaa dho? =s
nice post!
hehe
salhi post!
and all of it so true!
we have to change those to respect people from other countries!
apart from "bangaalheen" & as shweet said "orilanka" i dont think we use the terms disrespectfully. though ur right mini i think its high time we maldivians learnt to be more cooperative with foreigners. i mean, some of us still have this rather apprehensive approach towards them.
hehhe... funny post :P
Cool post... Our ppl realy should learn to respect others!
yeah orin ves ulhey dho...
nice post!
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