PORTFOLIO: Rodiya: Outcaste People of Sri Lanka

Rodiya women walked through a rice paddy as they returned from a day's begging, top photograph. Above, a young Rodiya boy. At far left, an adolescent girl spinning the rabana, a brass plate traditionally used for begging; one is given to each girl in a special ceremony when she reaches puberty. Possibly in reaction to the government's attempts to stamp out begging, the little girl at near left tried to hide her begging basket. The Rodiya are believed to know a great deal about magic charms, love potions and curses, so their requests for food carry more weight than those of most beggars. – from Minneapolis Tribune Picture Magazine, November 6, 1977, page 15.

With many thanks to the people of Sri Lanka who welcomed me as their guest,
to Picture Magazine editor Katherine Watson, and to Janis Sarles for keeping this copy of Picture magazine!

Project sponsored by the Minnesota SPAN Association

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