Keyolhu Tshirt

"Mid August, 2022. 

I had my focus latched onto the fractals of the ocean. The bright midday sun reflected them onto a traditional dhoani. One of those vessels you rarely ever see in the present day, anchored in the shallows. 

I set the frame vertically to align with my grid of thirds. Just as I started recording, a man pleasantly interrupts my business as he makes his way towards the dhoani.

The man wore a long sleeved shirt, protecting himself from the scorching heat. He paired it with a bucket hat that had a striking resemblance to the triangular hat worn by the traditional “keyolhu”.  To avoid getting the whole of his “mundu” soaked, he had rolled its ankles and wrapped it back onto its waist. A practice common amongst fisher folk and seafarers and has its own term in Dhivehi, “aruvaa jehun”.

In an era where such sights have become near impossible to come across, it brings me joy to be able to immortalize this timeless moment as the back print of “Keyolhu”." - Hussan

Photo and design by Hussan
Typography by Nadhwa
Printed in Maldives by LinCo.

Material | 100% Supima Cotton