An exploratory story of Sri Lankan Aborigines from the past to present
Aboriginal legends are found all over the world and the survival of Aboriginal people (Indigenous people) as known as Vedda in Sri Lanka makes it special to Sri Lankan proud history. The word “Veddi” belongs to the indigenous people and is a word derived from the Pali Language of Sri Lanka. Ancient people in Sri Lanka called them in National Language in Sinhala “Veddas”. According to a past story in Sri Lanka first man & the rise of Civilization. Indigenous people are those belonging to a community that consisting of their own cultural environment, customs, worship style and food style. Aboriginal people meet us before entering the western world. Experience the beauty of the aboriginal civilization which shows the Sri Lankan heritage. Also,if you would like, you can make a booking your entire tour including transport service by My Travel Partner to success your travel in Sri Lanka. You can get reasonable rates and best service.
Indigenous people in Sri Lanka
In Ancient Sri Lanka There were 4 tribes. There are Yaksha tribe, Naga tribe, Deva tribe, Raksha tribe. Among these tribes vadda's generation comes from the yaksha tribe. These people pray for devils, because of that reason they are introduced as a Yaksha tribe. The heritage of the indigenous people of Sri Lanka is about 36000 years old. There are many evidences of the existence of indigenous people in Sri Lanka. One of them is a skull found in the Pahiyangala cave. There also have evidence of several places in Kuruwita, Balangoda, Kithulgala and Nawalapitiya. It is also found that the indigenous people used tools made of iron. The Vedda people, they found some unique tools, which have a special item was hand-axe, bow and arrow. Also, the rock paintings in the rock caves are the oldest paintings in Sri Lanka. In the stone age, man’s basic needs were food and shelter. This included hunting animals to get food and cutting wooden rods for housing. Mother nature gives a special place to these people, because indigenous peoples who have recognized the value of nature are protecting nature. There are around 500,000 indigenous people in Sri Lanka, and they live in six districts of Badulla, Batticaloa, Polonnaruwa, Ampara, Monaragala and Trincomalee. There are about 62 indigenous villages in Sri Lanka. After the death of a leader of an aboriginal civilization, another new leader is appointed three days after the old leader was buried.
Legend of Indigenous people in Sri Lanka
The history of the indigenous people is said to have arisen after the story of King Vijaya and Kuveni. It is believed that the indigenous people are descended from the’ Yakkha’ tribe. There are several types of indigenous people who are heirs of the earth. These are the indigenous tribes of Gunapana, Thala, Morana, and Uru type called pig type. There is evidence that the indigenous people had their own patterns of behavior and their own language pattern. History has shown that the indigenous people played a major role in saving Sri Lanka from the invaders. Legend has it that in the battle of Uva Wellassa, using a variety of tactics and weapons by the indigenous people is an example of this.
The existence and activates of aboriginal civilization in Sri Lanka
The existence of this indigenous civilization is characterized by many things, such as their way of life, language, culture, special dance and songs style and food.
* Language of Indigenous people
While the language style of the indigenous people in unique. These indigenous people are greeting as ‘Mama Kachchak Hodamai’ from (Welcome and Thank you word). Aboriginal people speak different words through language such as ‘Mandu’, ‘Kakula’ from (boy) ‘Kakuli’ from (girl) ‘Mangachchana’ from (Going), ‘Pojja’, ‘Ura’ from (the person), ‘Pata Arinawa’, ‘Kota Damannam’, ‘Keteriya’ from (hand-axe).
* Houses of Indigenous people
The ancient inhabitants of the area used the caves as their homes and today they have built houses for using tree rods, Mud and dung. In normal life, they all live in Groups. Under one roof Concept.
* Livelihood of Indigenous people
The food needs of the indigenous people were met by hunting, and they used a variety of weapons like ‘Keteriya’ from (hand-axe) including bow and arrow. Today, most aboriginal people get their food from farming, but elder aborigines still hunt.
* Eating habits of Indigenous people
The main staple food of indigenous peoples is raw meat and honey. Indigenous people have eaten baked raw meat. Deer meat is used on animal meat, such as wild boar. Also, the Hives break down and supplies honey. There are also using food items from the jungle, including type of tubers, cereals, Roti, Rice, and curry.
* Cultural aspects of Indigenous people
Aboriginal people have their own unique songs and dance styles those are mainly dances for the sacrifices. Also, they sing baby songs when the babies while they get ready to sleep.
Active aboriginal village in Sri Lanka
The Dambana Vedda Village is the most important place to explore their way of life of aborigines in Sri Lanka. Here you can get a glimpse of the life of the Sri Lankan indigenous people, their language, their eating habits. This picturesque village is 262 km from Colombo through Dambulla City. It is also takes approximately a 6-hour journey. This village is in the Badulla District Sri Lanka and the nearest town is Mahiyangana. There are about 375 families living in this Vedda Village and about 3000 indigenous people. The beauty of this Vedda Village stay tuned among the beautiful nature with wildlife environment, mountains ranges, lakes and the paddy fields. The village where the indigenous leader resides is the 'Variga Maha' House.'Uruwarige wannila aththo' is the seventh leader of the indigenous village of Dambana and ‘Tissa Hami’ a tribal chief, died earlier. Another special of this village is the museum of the Veddas. The antiquities of the indigenous people, their existence and their cultural features have been preserved in this museum. There is also a statue of the sixth leader of the Village, the aborigine. Indigenous village located close to the is in Mahiyangana. There is a special lake called the ‘Sorabora' lake built by the giant called’ Bulatha”. Actually, the lake was created by this giant alone. If you see this lake, you will realize the strongness of the giant. You will be able row o this lake and to do safari camping like that activities and it is also possible to see the wild animals bathing. It will incredible. You can also find the extra information of Sri Lankan cultural history at the Ayurvedic Museum and the special village called ‘ Kalasiri’ village located in Mahiyangana.The vedda community used to live in a cave in ancient time but at the present,they weave to constructing homes in the forest area and it was successful. These are subsequently called “Vadi Gammana'' at present.
Sri Lanka's Indigenous leader exemplary message
"The leader of the indigenous community of Sri Lanka said that he was giving a message to the world such as “The earth belongs not only to human but also to a small ant and work in harmony without dividing the environment.”
Current research on Aboriginal people in Sri Lanka
Various researches have been launched around the world, expounding the heritage of the indigenous people of Sri Lanka. The best example of this present is the repatriation of some of the ancient Sri Lankan aboriginal skulls from the University of Edinburgh in England. These were taken to England during the rule of British imperialism. And continuing a lot of researching to find out whether there is a connection between indigenous people in Australia and Sri Lanka. If you like to know more information about these indigenous people and if you like to spend time with them or if you like to find the history of them you can join us . Visit “MY TRAVEL PARTNER” website and book a tour as you want . we are ready to guide you for more.