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 or Tamil for daily communication and education, while Vedda languages or dialects are spoken within the community and in cultural contexts. Some dialects are endangered due to assimilation and language shift.

Traditionally forest-dwellers and hunter-gatherers, Vedda communities historically provided hunters and trackers for Sri Lankan kingdoms and later engaged in shifting agriculture, hunting, and foraging. Their social organization includes clan-based groupings and customary leadership, often led by elders or chieftains.

Today, Vedda communities are largely integrated into Sri Lankan society, but many maintain distinctive customs, music, and traditional dress in rural areas. They have faced social and economic marginalization and assimilation pressures, and government policies have sought to protect forest rights while promoting education and bilingualism. The preservation of traditional practices varies by region and community, reflecting ongoing adaptation to contemporary life.

See also: Vedda language, Indigenous peoples of Sri Lanka.