Iloshi Bouquet
Maldivians are raised to fear god and authority. To fear your family. To fear your neighbours. To fear for your friends. To hear the sounds of a child having the shit beaten out of them with an iloshi fathi and accepting it as a part of life. Because if we failed to fear god and authority, our masters would abandon us all, and leave our poor souls to die.
An iloshi fathi is a broom made from the stems of coconut leaflets (iloshi). It’s primarily used to sweep roads and beat discipline into children. The iloshi make a whistling sound as they approach you. If you’ve heard it you’ll never forget it.
Digital Illustration.
(2023)