Vedda the hunting tribe of Srilanka genetically linked to Ethnic Indians : Hyderabad based CCMB
Hyderabad: A recent study from the Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) has revealed a significant genetic connection between the Vedda tribe of Srilanka and ethnic groups in India. This groundbreaking research, published in the journal Mitochondrion, was conducted by ten researchers from five different institutions.
Significant study
The Vedda, traditionally forest dwellers who lived in caves and survived by hunting and foraging, have been a subject of curiosity due to their unique cultural and linguistic traits. The study’s comprehensive analysis of the Vedda’s autosomal and mitochondrial genomes offers new insights into the early settlement of Sri Lanka and the ancient genetic ties between the Vedda and other Asian populations.
Dr. K. Thangaraj, a senior author of the study and JC Bose Fellow at CSIR-CCMB, highlighted the importance of the research in understanding the genetic origins and connections of the Vedda with Indian populations. Despite the lack of close linguistic similarities, the Vedda share a significant genetic link with Indian ethnic groups.
Vedda the hunting tribe of Srilanka genetically linked to Ethnic Indians : Hyderabad based CCMB study reveals
In a landmark study published recently in the journal Mitochondrion, ten researchers from five institutions have unveiled significant findings regarding the genetic… pic.twitter.com/heQtfMj0Cx
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The lead author, Dr. Ruwandi Ranasingh from Colombo University, pointed out that maternal DNA analysis supports the existence of an ancient genetic link, suggesting a shared genetic heritage. The study indicates that the Vedda population has experienced genetic drift and a recent bottleneck, which has resulted in a unique genetic makeup with limited gene flow from neighboring populations like the Sinhalese and SriLankan Tamils.
Anjana Welikala, the first author of the study, emphasized that this discovery challenges the conventional isolation-by-distance model and highlights the distinct demographic history of the Vedda. The findings offer new perspectives on the demographic history of Sri Lanka and the South Asian region, revealing the complexity of human migration and genetic diversity in the area.
Dr. Vinay Nandicoori, Director of CCMB, stated that these insights contribute to a better understanding of the genetic diversity in South Asia and help foster appreciation for the unique cultural and genetic heritage of the Vedda people.
The Vedda are currently living in scattered settlements in the Hunnasgiriya hills and the coastal lowlands of eastern Srilanka. They are considered the island’s earliest inhabitants, predating the arrival of Indo-Aryans, who are now the dominant Sinhalese-Buddhist people, around 543 BCE. Despite their long history, the Vedda are not well-known and account for less than 1% of the national population today. This study sheds light on their genetic past and underscores their significance in the history of human settlement in Sri Lanka.
