Abstract:
Indigenous communities can be identified as culturally distinct ethnic groups who are native to a
particular place. The Veddas, the indigenous community of Sri Lanka are numerically small people
verging on extinction (0.20%). Dambana, the most renowned original settlement of the Veddas in
Sri Lanka has been arguably considered as the hub of Veddas over the past half a century. Food
consumption patterns of the Veddas had been greatly altered during the recent past with the
dynamic process of modernization and also with changing nature of lifestyle. An adequate and
updated attention has not been paid by the existing literature on the consumption of fish along with
the processing techniques of the indigenous community of Sri Lanka. Hence, this study examines
the level of fish consumption and preservation methods practiced by the indigenous community in
Dambana region in Sri Lanka. A structured questionnaire based interviews with the indigenous
people were conducted along with Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and a desk review to collect
the required data while a descriptive analysis employed to accomplish the objectives of the study.
The study observed that a higher preference on fishing (85%) compared to hunting. Previously, the
indigenous community used the pots made by crushing the wild herbs, spikes made of iron and
wood for fishing. Currently, several fishing gears (net gear and spears) are being adopted to
increase the quantity of catching which is required for their growing consumption. Moreover, the
results indicate that their fish consumption has increased approximately by 95%. Furthermore 65%
of them consume fish mostly at once/twice a week. Moreover, the study examined that traditional
techniques used for cooking, processing and preservation of fish (specific woods such as Cassia
fistula and Manilkara hexamer) have been gradually altered and being used modern technology
such as refrigerators. Additionally, preference on different fish species in the market has been
enhanced (20%). Under this scenario, the study emphasizes the need of protecting traditional
fishing and preservation method while facilitating in order to increase the level of fish consumption
of the indigenous community through appropriate strategies.
Keywords: Fishing; Fish Consumption; Indigenous community; Preservation Methods; Veddas
