Keelatuk
Keelatuk is a traditional form of boat-building and seafaring practiced by the indigenous peoples of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal. The term "Keelatuk" refers to both the type of boat used and the cultural practices associated with its construction and navigation.
The boats are typically made from a single piece of hollowed-out log, known as a dugout canoe,
The construction process involves careful selection of suitable timber, such as the *Terminalia* or *Calophyllum* species,
Keelatuk boats have historically played a vital role in the daily lives of Andamanese and Nicobarese communities,
In recent years, efforts have been made to preserve keelatuk traditions amid modernization and environmental challenges.