An anthropological study of adverse behaviour against development: with special reference to alcohol and narcotic-drug use among Veddas at Henanigala and Dambana in Sri Lanka

Anthropology

Sri Lankan Indigenous people called Veddas are in transition for a long period. As a result, they face many issues that adversely affect their development as well. Consumption of alcohol and narcotic-drugs have become major issues in these communities. The main objective of this research is to study the addiction of alcohols and narcotic-drugs observed in Vedda community in historical and cultural perspectives. This research was conducted, adopting both qualitative and quantitative methods; participant observation, interview method, key informant interview method and focus group discussions were the key methods of collecting data. Out of 758 families in Henanigala and 350 families in Dambana, hundred and twenty (120) individuals were considered for the data collection. Dambana is the Vedda habitat where they have been living since the ancient past. In 1983, due to the Accelerated Mahaweli Project, displaced Vedda people who lived in Kandegamwila (close to Dambana area) were resettled in Henanigala. Respondents stated that before 1961, use of alcohol and narcotic-drugs was not a socio-cultural habit that existed among them. However, they had used to drink toddy as a traditional drink. Some ancient Vedda folk seldom had brewed water, collected inside tree hollows and cavities, which activates a feeling of intoxication. Even Veddas who live in this area today have had such experiences. However, most of the Vedda folks have got used to consume alcohol and narcotic-drugs very recently. They have access to illegal alcohol from the nearest villages of Kalegama, Anchchikade and within the forest of Madura Oya for a cheap price. Also, licensed alcohol is available in the liquor shops at Sandunpura, Giradurukotte and Dehiattakandiya. Further, intoxication-tablets also prevail in the vicinity. Children of Veddas, who are around fifteen years old, are considerably addicted to such type of tablets. Children are being adversely influenced by their drug-addicted elders. Farming activities of Vedda folks have been severely affected due to serious addictions to alcohol. Due to alcohol consumption Vedda people tend to be violent, and it leads to a different kind of harassments against the people of the community. Accordingly, numerous social problems like family violence, poverty, illiteracy, physical injuries and various legal issues it can be observed linked with their alcohol and narcotic-drug addiction. This new trend has devastated Vedda people’s usual lifestyle and they have spread these adverse habits into their society. This situation puts their lives in chaos. Therefore, more effective strategies should be implemented to safeguard these people from unhealthy and harmful habits that ruins their tradition, image and identity.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.