Preserving indigenous knowledge: safeguarding Sri Lanka’s disappearing kandyan jewellery craft

Abstract

Traditional Kandyan jewellery craftsmanship occupies a distinguished position within Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage. Its exceptional artistry and highly specialised techniques define it as a unique craft tradition, sustained across generations through the transmission of indigenous knowledge and embodied skills. However, this craft and its associated artisan communities are increasingly threatened by socioeconomic changes, evolving cultural practices, and environmental pressures, resulting in a gradual erosion of both practice and knowledge. In response to such risks, the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage emphasises the preservation of knowledge systems and craftsmanship skills rather than focusing solely on physical artefacts. This study employs both primary and secondary data, using a qualitative research design supported by ethnographic methods to examine the issue in depth. The primary aim is to highlight the significance of indigenous knowledge preservation as a vital strategy for safeguarding cultural heritage. Specifically, the research investigates the decline of traditional Kandyan jewellery–making communities in Sri Lanka and examines how this decline affects the continuity of craft skills and knowledge. Ultimately, the study seeks to contribute to the long-term sustainability of Kandyan jewellery heritage through the preservation and transmission of its traditional knowledge systems.