Kerala Launches International Spice Routes Heritage Network

Kerala has unveiled an ambitious cultural tourism and research initiative to revive the historic Spice Routes that once connected the Malabar coast with global markets and civilisations. The initiative was announced during the inaugural three-day International Spice Routes Conference held in Kochi, marking a major milestone for the state’s heritage diplomacy and experiential tourism ambitions.

Revisiting the Global Legacy of the Spice Trade

The conference, themed ‘Ancient Trails, New Journeys’, highlighted lesser-known histories of the spice economy. Scholars traced how spices from Kerala shaped fiscal systems and trade networks across continents. Medieval Europe levied taxes on pepper, while 19th-century Bombay functioned as a financial buffer for clove trade volatility linked to Zanzibar. These accounts reinforced Kerala’s central role in the Indian Ocean trading world.

International Spice Routes Heritage Network Announced

Kerala formally launched the International Spice Routes Heritage Network as a collaborative platform for countries historically linked through maritime spice trade. The network aims to promote joint research, heritage preservation, archaeological studies, museum development, and archival documentation. Kerala Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas noted that spice routes carried not only commodities such as pepper and cinnamon, but also ideas, beliefs, technologies, and cultural practices that shaped societies across regions.

Muziris Heritage Project Unveils 33 ‘Spice Journeys’

As part of the initiative, the Muziris Heritage Project introduced 33 immersive heritage trails across Kerala, branded as ‘spice journeys’. These curated routes blend history, storytelling, and cuisine. Trails include Fort Kochi’s ‘A Queen’s Story’, focused on colonial spice trade narratives, and the Tyndis Thalassery Heritage and Spice Coast Walk in north Kerala, showcasing maritime and cultural intersections.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• The ancient Spice Routes connected Kerala with Europe, West Asia, and East Africa.
• Pepper was taxed as a luxury commodity in medieval European cities.
• Muziris is associated with Indo-Roman maritime trade.
• Indian Ocean trade enabled cultural and technological exchanges beyond commerce.

People, Migration, and Living Cultural Traditions

Research presentations examined historic and contemporary movement of people along spice routes, including migration between Kerala and Gulf countries. Exhibitions showcased migrant histories from the mid-20th century and cultural forms such as Chavittunatakam, a Portuguese-era dance-drama now experiencing revival. The conference underlined Kerala’s strategy to position itself as a global hub for culturally immersive, high-value tourism rooted in living heritage.