The Vedda or Veddah people are an indigenous tribal community of which country?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Sri Lanka

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Indigenous tribes and ethnic groups form an important part of world geography, culture and anthropology. The Vedda or Veddah people are one such group in South Asia, and their location is a frequently asked fact in general knowledge examinations. Knowing where different tribal communities live helps build a more complete picture of regional diversity and also appears in questions related to demography and culture. This question asks you to identify the country to which the Vedda people belong.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The tribe mentioned is the Vedda or Veddah people.
  • The options list four South or Southeast Asian countries: Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
  • The task is to choose the correct country where this tribal community is found.
  • No numerical data is needed; it is a factual recall question.


Concept / Approach:
The Veddas are recognised as one of the earliest indigenous communities of Sri Lanka. Traditionally, they were forest dwelling hunter gatherers living in the central, eastern and southeastern parts of the island. Over time, many have integrated with the wider population, but they retain distinct cultural practices and languages. The approach here is to recall that Sri Lanka, not the neighbouring mainland countries, is associated with the Vedda tribe. Basic reading on South Asian tribes and cultures usually mentions this fact, making it a straightforward recall question if you have revised the topic.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the tribe named in the question, which is the Vedda or Veddah people. Step 2: Recall from your studies that the Veddas are considered an aboriginal or indigenous community of Sri Lanka. Step 3: Note that Sri Lanka is an island nation lying to the south of India in the Indian Ocean. Step 4: Compare this memory with the list of options: Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Step 5: Select Sri Lanka as the correct answer because this is the country traditionally associated with the Vedda people.


Verification / Alternative Check:
To verify, you can recall that standard general knowledge and anthropology texts describe Veddas as the earliest known inhabitants of Sri Lanka. They are often mentioned in discussions of Sri Lankan history, along with the Sinhala and Tamil populations. There is no similar reference linking Veddas with Maldives, Myanmar or Bangladesh. A quick mental map of South Asia also suggests that these other countries have their own distinct indigenous groups, but not the Vedda community. This cross checking confirms that Sri Lanka is the correct country.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Maldives is a small island nation in the Indian Ocean, known primarily for its atolls and tourism, and does not feature the Vedda tribe in standard references. Myanmar has many ethnic groups, such as the Karen and Shan, but the Veddas are not among them. Bangladesh is home to tribes like the Chakma and Marma in the hilly regions, again not the Vedda people. Since these countries have different indigenous communities and there is no established link between them and the Veddas, options A, B and D are incorrect for this question.


Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is assuming that all tribal groups mentioned in South Asian contexts must belong to mainland countries like India, Myanmar or Bangladesh, while overlooking island nations such as Sri Lanka. Another error is confusing the Veddas with other similarly named communities. To avoid confusion, build a small mental or written list of important tribes and their countries, such as Maasai in Kenya and Tanzania, Inuit in Arctic regions and Veddas in Sri Lanka. Regular revision of such lists will help you answer tribe related questions quickly and accurately.


Final Answer:
The Vedda or Veddah people are an indigenous tribal community of Sri Lanka, so Sri Lanka is the correct option.

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