KADALARIVUKAL
For centuries, fisher communities have nurtured an ocean-centered knowledge system shaped through lived experience along the coasts and seas. This knowledge may not exist in written form. The saying “Mukkuvanezhuthilla” (“the fisherman has no script”) symbolizes this oral tradition — a system sustained through memory, experience, practice, and collective life.
Passed down from generation to generation through stories, songs, proverbs, and hands-on learning, this marine knowledge culture reflects a deep and intimate relationship with the ocean. It represents both ecological understanding and cultural heritage, embedded in everyday life, social organization, and livelihood practices.
Fisherfolk knowledge extends far beyond fishing techniques or species identification. It includes insights into weather patterns, sea currents, coastal geography, astronomy, biodiversity, and community history.
This knowledge system is holistic and interconnected. Understanding the sea requires understanding the sky, the wind, the currents, and the rhythms of life. Each element influences the other. This interdependence is a defining feature of Kadal Arivukal.
Contribute Your Knowledge
The wisdom of our ocean is carried by those who understands it . We invite you to share your knowledge—observations, oral histories, or environmental insights—to ensure our ocean heritage remains a living archive for generations to come.
Your knowledge helps preserve our ocean heritage.
Share Your Story
Use the link below to enter our knowledge dashboard and submit details about your TEK domain, location, and media.