Kithul Madeema: Sri Lanka’s Traditional Kithul Tapping Recognized by UNESCO: congratulations Dr. Raveendra Withanachchi
Sri Lanka’s traditional practice of Kithul Madeema (Kithul Kapeema) the indigenous method of tapping sap from the Kithul palm (Caryota urens) was officially inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on 11 December 2025. The decision was announced during the 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in New Delhi. Practiced for centuries by rural communities, Kithul Madeema involves specialized knowledge such as identifying mature trees, climbing tall palms, preparing the flower stalk, and carefully extracting sap. The sap is later processed into traditional products like treacle (pani) and jaggery (hakuru), which are deeply connected to Sri Lankan food culture and rural livelihoods. The inscription recognizes a living tradition practiced across many regions of the country and highlights its cultural and ecological value. Dr. Raveendra Withanachchi of the Department of Anthropology at University of Sri Jayewardenepura also contributed to the documentation and scholarly work supporting the recognition of this important cultural practice.
