© 2023 Dr Margaret Sheppard
Hunting
Traditionally the men hunted with bows and arrows that they made themselves. Veddah men still regularly hunt in the Jungles around where they live with their bows and arrows. However it is becoming increasingly difficult for them now that the National Parks are re-opening and the Game Fences are being re-erected. Several Veddah huntsmen have already been prosecuted for hunting in the Game Parks even though they believe they are merely hunting on their ancestral lands
Preparation for hunting: Hardening the arrows, stringing the bows. Veddah bows are almost the height of the hunter.
Special Hunting Dance: This helps hunters to “see” where best to hunt
They dance around a fire on which is boiled a pot containing a decoction of special herbs. This special hunting dance is to bring good luck during hunting and also for the protection of the hunters. Goonabandi (in white) sings the special hunting song.
First the hunters check for animal tracks
They communicate with silent hand signals whilst they trace the prey
Then they shoot it with an arrow and finish it off with their axe
