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Veddah tribe, bows and arrows, Ceylon, Sri Lanka
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Veddah tribe, bows and arrows, Ceylon, Sri Lanka
Men from the Veddah tribe, bows and arrows, Ceylon, Sri Lanka, c.1880s
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Media ID 23443612
Arrows Bows Ceylon Ethnicity Ethnographic Sri Lanka Veddah Weapons
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This evocative photograph captures a group of Veddah men from the eastern province of Sri Lanka, posing with their traditional bows and arrows. The Veddah people, also known as the Wanniyala-Aetto or the 'people of the forest,' are an indigenous ethnic group believed to be the earliest inhabitants of Sri Lanka, with a history dating back over 2,500 years. The image, taken in the late 19th century, offers a glimpse into the early era of colonial Ceylon (as Sri Lanka was then known) and the traditional way of life of the Veddah community. The men in the photograph are dressed in simple loincloths, their bodies adorned with intricate tattoos, and their faces displaying a mix of curiosity and wariness towards the camera. The Veddah people were renowned for their hunting skills, and the bows and arrows were their primary weapons. The bows were made from the wood of the sapan tree, while the arrows were tipped with poison extracted from certain plants. The Veddahs were semi-nomadic, living in the forests and subsisting on hunting, gathering, and cultivating crops. This photograph is an important ethnographic record of the Veddah people and their way of life, which has undergone significant changes in the modern era. The image offers a poignant reminder of the rich cultural heritage and history of Sri Lanka and the importance of preserving the traditions and practices of indigenous communities.
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