Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Xavier Romero-Frias (1954 - ), is a Spanish writer and scholar. He lived in the Maldives over a 14 year period. His present residence is unknown. Romero-Frias investigated the anthropology and oral tradition of the Maldives with patience. He learned two dialects of the Dhivehi language fluently, and understood others. He had deep knowledge of Dhivehi writing and Arabic. During his years in the Maldives Romero-Frias took a special interest in compiling the oral tradition of the Maldives by becoming friendly with the elders of the islands he visited. Before Romero-Frias did this work, very few of the stories were in written form.