Stilt Fishermen - Sri Lanka

Stilt fishermen in Sri Lanka are a traditional group of coastal fishers who practice a unique and visually striking method of fishing. Perched on wooden poles embedded into the shallow seabed near the shore, they sit on a horizontal crossbar—called a petta—and use rods to catch small fish.

This practice is believed to have originated during World War II when food shortages pushed locals to find new ways to fish. Though less common today due to tourism and modern fishing techniques, stilt fishing remains a powerful cultural symbol of Sri Lanka’s coastal heritage.