An age old village craft rooted in nature and tradition earns global recognition, placing Sri Lanka’s Kithul heritage on the world cultural map.
Sri Lanka’s traditional practice of Kithul Madeema, also known as Kithul Kapeema, has been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, marking a major milestone for the country’s living heritage.
The announcement was made on December 11, 2025, during the 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in New Delhi, India. The inscription recognizes an ancient indigenous technology used to extract sap from the Kithul palm, scientifically known as Caryota urens.
Practiced for centuries by rural communities, Kithul Madeema is a highly skilled knowledge system. It involves identifying mature Kithul trees, climbing tall palms, preparing and carefully wrapping the inflorescence, and tapping it daily with a traditional sacred knife. The collected sap is filtered and boiled to produce Kithul treacle, jaggery, and other food products that play a central role in Sri Lankan cuisine and cultural rituals.
This living tradition continues across more than 13 districts in the Southern, Central, Sabaragamuwa, and Uva Provinces, thriving in forests, home gardens, and natural landscapes. UNESCO recognition is expected to enhance visibility, strengthen rural livelihoods, encourage youth participation, and promote sustainable cultural practices.
Following the adoption, Minister Counsellor of the Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi, Wathsala Amarasinghe, expressed Sri Lanka’s deep appreciation to the Evaluation Body and the UNESCO Secretariat for their support. She highlighted the importance of this recognition for traditional Kithul tappers who have safeguarded this heritage across generations.
The inscription underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to preserving its living heritage and celebrates the creativity, resilience, and ecological wisdom embedded in Kithul tapping culture.
