Vedda
Vedda refers to an indigenous ethnic group primarily native to Sri Lanka, with smaller communities in southern India. They are traditionally regarded as the island’s earliest inhabitants, with settlements dating back to prehistoric times. In Sri Lanka, Vedda are recognized as a distinct ethnic group alongside the Sinhalese and Tamils. The community comprises subgroups that differ by dialects, territory, and customary practices.
The Vedda language belongs to the Dravidian language family. Most Vedda people are bilingual, speaking Sinhala
Traditionally forest-dwellers and hunter-gatherers, Vedda communities historically provided hunters and trackers for Sri Lankan kingdoms and
Today, Vedda communities are largely integrated into Sri Lankan society, but many maintain distinctive customs, music,