Preserving Tradition in a Changing World: The Impact of Modern Production on the Rattan Craft Industry in Wewelgoda Village, Sri Lanka

The rattan craft industry in Sri Lanka is ancient and traditional dating back more than a thousand years, namely in forest border areas such as Wewelgoda Village of Kamburupitiya. The art is disappearing due to modern production techniques. The socio-economic effects of industrialisation on traditional rattan craft workers in the village Wewelgoda and strategies performers would need to adopt to ensure sustainability of the industry under changing technology, financial and market conditions were analysed by the researchers. The researchers employed a mixed-methods research design and applied qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Qualitative data were obtained via interviews, case analysis and observation; quantitative data were achieved by field survey and observation. The major findings revealed that unjustifiable access to raw material, competition with cheap alternatives and socio-economic factors impairing the younger generation from carrying on the traditional craft are the main causes responsible for declining of rattan craft industry in Wewelgoda. There are legal restrictions on the collection of rattan, and poor government intervention exacerbate the problem. But as rattan emporiums proliferate and the work becomes more difficult and dangerous, the small-scale employees are proving adaptable at sticking to tradition. Yet a lack of efficiency due to the use of outdated methodologies still plagues output and profitability. The research also suggests policy upgrades that will enable the legal and sustainable access to raw materials, introducing suitable technologies that increase efficiency. Increasing the public awareness and social value of rattan craft may encourage intergenerational inheritance. Consequently, this study enhances to varied discourses on the conservation of Sri Lankan Intangible Cultural Heritage and sustainable rural livelihoods.