Dambana, Indigenous holy place in Badulla District, Sri Lanka
Dambana is a village in a remote jungle area of Uva Province where the indigenous Vedda population lives. The area was established as a reserve zone for this community to maintain their traditional way of life.
The village was established as a formal refuge for Vedda families during the 20th century. This protection allowed the community to preserve their ancestral customs against increasing outside pressures.
The Vedda community here practices hunting traditions and passes knowledge from generation to generation. Their daily activities and handmade crafts remain visible and actively practiced throughout the village.
The village lies roughly 300 kilometers from Colombo and is reachable through connections to Mahiyangana town. Basic services are available locally, though planning ahead before visiting is recommended.
The village is home to one of the last remaining groups of Vedda language speakers, with roughly 350 families here. This linguistic community represents a rare cultural connection found nowhere else in the world.
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