Benefits and barriers to accelerate craft revival for traditional Agasti jewellery craft in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The rapid decline of the traditional Agasti jewellery craft creates significant gaps in knowledge, skills, and ultimately affects the endurance of the entire craft community, including the traditional craft code. This decline draws increased attention to the need for regenerating the craft through the preservation of traditional knowledge, skills, and craft codes—a concern shared by both academia and the jewellery industry. However, ensuring the longevity of this craft goes beyond preserving traditional knowledge; it encompasses cultural, social, economic, environmental, ethical, and political dimensions. This study explores the unique heritage of Agasti jewellery within three main domains: artistic, historical, and ethnic values. It emphasises the importance of craft restoration as a means to safeguard the craft’s future. From the data collected, the study identifies the need for an indigenous knowledge database specific to traditional Agasti jewellery. This database includes the craft’s originality, artistic features, design motifs, intricate craftsmanship, cultural symbolism, and, most importantly, the narratives that validate the craft’s worth and potential for revival. Furthermore, this work examines and debates key factors contributing to the craft's decline to facilitate its restoration. Strong insights are obtained through structured and unstructured interviews, surveys, and comprehensive literature reviews, which help develop a thematic structure aimed at identifying strategies for craft revival. Identifying the barriers and enabling factors behind current practices helps synthesise a thematic understanding that supports the sustainability and longevity of the traditional craft code. An established conceptual framework for revival not only fosters the preservation of knowledge but also promotes the socio-economic growth of the craft, ensuring its relevance and vitality for future generations.