Late Hassan Ibrahim(Karaihokko), a business magnate, an energetic man, was remarkably known as the strongest and most influential entrepreneur who lived in Ukulhas during the reign of President Ibrahim Nasir.
Karaihokko was known tobe born in Villimale’ and migrated to Ukulhas due to family and businessreasons, thereby he settled down in Ukulhas by marrying Nazira who was known asa native from Ukulhas. His first marriage in Ukulhas with Nazira lasted for afew years and his second marriage with Dhonfathma also ended with disappointing effects on his career. However, his early life in Ukulhas was stabilized by marrying another active and social woman from Ukulhas known as Aishath Manikwho was also known as Thithige Dhon Aisa. Soon after his third marriage withDhon Aisa, his business establishments reaped great advancements. One can safely proclaim that Karaihokko’s marriage with Dhon Aisa, is the catalystbehind his revolutionary career, making him an iconic figure across the remote population.
Though doing businesswas a part of his family background, he had also traveled abroad as a seaman before moving to Ukulhas, where he finally received great opportunities to use his strong mentality and preexisting skills to broaden his career. In Ukulhas,He started four different types of businesses including operation of a shop, acafeteria, a fishing vessel, and supplying of varieties of items available inUkulhas to Male’.
Looking at Karaihokko’sbusinesses, for his supplying business, he used to buy items such as Reef fishfrom different vessels at the Rate of MVR 8, MVR 10 and MVR 12 per fish, for salting and drying, Coconut trees at the Rate of MVR 8, MVR 10 and MVR 12 pertree, Bundles of logs for firewood (Dharu maaru) at the rate of MVR 25 perbundle, Large Clay pots (Jaadi, Runbaa) at the Rate of MVR 8, MVR 10 per pot.At his shop, many items were available such as Rice, Sugar, Flour, Maize, Arecanuts, Biscuits (Big), Biscuits (Can), Tobacco, Tea Leaves, Millet (Bimbi) andother such commodities.
At his Cafeteria, itemssuch as Gulha (Fish ball), Bajiya (Pasty stuffed with fish), Kulhi Boakiba(Fish cake), tea, and juice were available. It is said that MVR 25 OR MVR 30would be enough for a group of people to have tea.
Karaihokko ran hiscafeteria and shop for 10 to 15 years without any permanent closure and it wasthe only cafeteria available across the Island at that time. His shop was the second shop to be opened in the history of Ukulhas after the first shop inUkulhas which operated under the name of “Kaleyfaanugey Fihaara” which was saidto be run by Katheeb Kaleyfaanu at Javaahirumaage’, Ukulhas. The number offishing vessels operated by Karaihokko was believed to be 2 or 3. For thispurpose, he brought a boatbuilding engineer from A Dh. Mahibadhoo, namedValugey Hassan who engaged the contract along with his colleague Ibranik fromthe same Island.
Soon Karaihokko’s influential power had spread over the whole Atoll due to his influential business position and huge wealth, which was also reflected in his close connections with honorable governmental officials such as the head of atoll administration and heads of Island administrations. His house was said to be the place of reception and place accommodation of these government officials. He used to be the only invited person to arrange all welcoming ceremonies, food and accommodation of all higher-ranking government officials across the Atoll. Whenever there was a new arrival of government officials, he arranged entertaining activities presented by local groups while the reception and feasts were held.
Karaihokko’s social contributions and services brought contentment to each individual across the Island Community. During the holy occasion of Eid, the whole community will be invited to his house to have a morning tea soon after the Eid prayers. DuringRamadan, dinners were served to many people in his house after night prayers. If there was any community social activity, such as cleaning, working, traveling, there will always be an invitation by Karaihokko to visit his house for refreshments or meals.
Karaihokko’ one of the founders to be given credit for the introduction of new technological devices such as audio cassette readable Radio, Cassette player, video cassettes, Video Cassette Recorder (VCR) and TV to the Ukulhas community which were considered as luxuries at that time. The introduction of these technologies aided the community to enhance their surrounding by bringing different colors in it. Despite his wealth and high-status Karaihokko was a humble and generous person. One of my favorite memories of Karaihokko is visiting his house with other children to watch TV since only a few homes had TVs at that time. Very often Karaihokko would sit at the doorstep of his TV room watching and taking care ofthe little visitors at his house until the children are satisfied with watching TV'. Describing this, Mr. Abdulla Firaq the vice president of Ukulhas Council, said that "such was the humble and generous nature of Karaihokko".
Karaihokko was not only just a businessman or a social contributor, but he also was a highly skilled worker. He was familiar with all regular activities in the community, such as masonary works, carpentry works, tree climbing, toddy making, and other suchcrafts. He was also renowned as the strongest and the bravest man in the community and all difficult and herculean works were offered to him such as cutting down of big trees, cutting down of long coconut palms and lifting of heavy wooden branches and other such work which required courage, skill, and strength. Whenever he accepted an offer to complete a task he would not relax till that task is completed.
Karaihokko passed away in Ukulhas at the age of 78 years, although according to his colleagues his age should be more than 100 years when he passed away. His contributions will never disappear, and he will always reside in our hearts filled with love and affection. May the Almighty bless Karaihokko, and give us the strength and wisdom to do such beneficial work for our community.
