Anthropometry of Veddas of Dambana
Date
1996-08-10
Authors
Wikramanayake, E. R.
Chandrasekara, M. S.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya
Abstract
Fourteen anthropometric measurements were made of the Veddas of Dambana in 1994/1995 using the same standard equipment and the same observers as in the study of the Hennanigala Veddas in 1993/1994. The results of the young adults of both sexes of the age range 22 - 35 years from the two studies were compared. No significant differences were found in twelve of the measurements in the females and ten in the males although all measurements were larger in the Dambana Veddas. Head circumference and sitting height were significantly different in the females (p <0.001 and p <0.05 respectively.) Head circumference, foot length, span and bicondylar diameter were significantly different in the males (p <0.05, P <0.02, P <0.01 and p <0.05 respectively).
The results obtained for Dambana Veddas of both sexes were compared with 7 anthropometric measurements of Sinhalese undergraduates done in 1992. The differences in all parameters - height, sitting height, head length, head breadth, head circumference, bicondylar diameter and facial height were highly significant in the males (p <0.001). In the females, height, sitting height and facial height were not significantly different. The significant differences in morphometric traits between the Sinhalese and Veddas as reported from data of the National Ethnological Survey of 1936/1937 were still observed.
Description
Keywords
Anthropometry , Veddas , Dambana
Citation
Proceedings of the Annual Research Sessions, August 10,1996, Uninversity of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, pp 144