Coracle

A coracle (Tamil: பரிசல் (parisal)) is a round bowl-shaped boat. It is a simple construction of weaving reeds together and covered in animal hides or plastic sheets for waterproofing nowadays. It is used mainly for transport, fishing, and tourist attractions. Coracles are the simplest form of a boat and could be the very first form of water transport. Indian coracles are usually round-shaped and made using a bamboo structure. They are made with minor variations in size and shaped to cater to peoples need and are widely used across the sub-continent.

Coracles are used in several civilizations across the globe. They have references in the recorded history of Egypt, Britain, Wales, and South Asian countries. The basic elements of coracles are identical among all these regions, with changes to the shape and materials available in the area.

A coracle could be made small enough to carry a person and big enough to move 15 people. Though replaced widely by modern boats, it is still used in many parts of India and South Asian countries due to its affordability, lightweight, and simple structure.