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Sri Lanka’s Kithul tapping added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List

Sri Lanka’s centuries-old practice of Kithul Madeema, the traditional method of tapping sap from the kithul palm, has been added to UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. Known locally as Kithul Madeema or Kithul Kapeema, the practice is deeply rooted in rural Sri Lankan communities. It involves collecting sap from the Caryota urens tree, commonly known as the kithul palm, found in forests and home gardens. The process requires significant skill and care. Tappers climb the tall palm using ladders, bind the flower stalk with vines, and make precise cuts using a sacred tapping knife.…

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