Vedda in Sri Lanka

The Vedda have only been reported in Sri Lanka
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest Sri Lanka census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

The Veddas are indigenous natives of Sri Lanka and perhaps the oldest ethnic group in that country. They like to live their original traditional lifestyles. Now there is a danger of them becoming extinct.

The Vedda are called forest dwellers. They hunt using bows and arrows and fish too. Some of them do farming. Women are not classed as inferior and property goes in same amounts to men and women. They speak their own Vedda language which has some similarities to Sinhalese.

The Vedda are animists or follow totemism by religion. They have cousin marriages but more women are marrying their neighbors now and so they are becoming more integrated.

The Vedda have songs about nature and enjoy producing drawings.


Where Are they Located?

They are located in the villages north of Dambana and Pollebedda and Rathugala.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Veddahs are now assimilated into Sinhalese farmers communities, except for Damabane tribe who keep much of their traditions and language alive, mainly to earn income from tourists.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Vedda are animistic and believe in spirits and the effect of charms.


What Are Their Needs?

There is lot of pressure from the Sinhalese on the Veddahs to become Buddist. The Sinhalese Buddist community sees them as a their ancestors.


Prayer Points

Pray that Sri Lankan Christians will help lead the Vedda to Jesus Christ.
Pray that the Vedda will not become extinct.


Scripture Prayers for the Vedda in Sri Lanka.


References

http://www.desiblitz.com/content/veddas-aboriginal-natives-of-sri-lanka


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Vedda
People Name in Country Vedda
Alternate Names Aetto; Beda; Wanniyala; Wanniyala-Aetto; वेददाह
Population this Country 300
Population all Countries 300
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 4  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 15778
ROP3 Code 110531
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Eastern mountains, Badulla and Polonnaruwa districts.   Source:  www.ethnologue.com
Total States on file 2
Largest States
North Central
200
Uva
200
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Eastern mountains, Badulla and Polonnaruwa districts..   Source:  www.ethnologue.com
Total States 2
  North Central 200
  Uva 200
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
15.63 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
50.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
34.38 %
* From latest Sri Lanka census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Sinhala
Language Code sin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Veddah
Primary Language Sinhala
Language Code sin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Veddah
People Groups Speaking Sinhala

Primary Language:  Sinhala

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1739-1966)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1776-1991)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1823-2009)
Bible-NT Audio Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Sinhala Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Sinhala YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Sinhala YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Sinhala Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Campus Crusade for Christ
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source CeylonM - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.