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Experience
Travel into the forested interior of Sri Lanka to Dambana and spend time learning about the island's Indigenous Vedda community.
Journey gallery
Journey overview
Dambana | Approximately 4 hours
Travel into the forested interior of Sri Lanka to Dambana and spend time learning about the island's Indigenous Vedda community.
With appropriate local guidance and permission, discover aspects of Vedda cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and the community's historic relationship with the surrounding forest. Depending on the experience arranged, this may include a visit to a cultural centre or village, traditional hunting demonstrations, storytelling, music, dance and an introduction to traditional foods and ways of life.
The experience is particularly meaningful when approached as a meeting with a living community rather than a performance created solely for visitors.
Where permitted, spend time listening to community members and learning about the challenges of preserving cultural identity and traditional knowledge in a changing world.
Current Dambana experiences include approximately four-hour evening visits involving a local guide, meeting the community, cultural demonstrations, traditional hunting methods and folk dance. Other community-based programmes extend into forest walks, traditional food and longer stays.
Please note: Experiences involving the Indigenous Vedda community are subject to community permission, local protocols and availability. Activities and demonstrations may vary. Photography and participation should always be undertaken respectfully and with permission.