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Inbreeding among Dhangar castes of Maharashtra, India

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

K. C. Malhotra
Affiliation:
India Statistical Institute, 203 Barrackpore Trunk Road, Calcutta, India

Summary

Consanguinity is studied in a large sample of marriages among Dhangars of Maharashtra, India. The 22 endogamous castes included in the study show great variation in incidence, about an overall frequency of 26.4%. Matrilateral first cross-cousin unions are more frequency than patrilateral, and maternal uncle-niece nuions least frequent. Geograbhical differences are conspicuous, and all three types of consanguineous union show characteristic patterns; matrilateral unions increase in frequncy northwards, patrilateral and uncle-niece decrease northwards. The inbreeding levels among the Dhangars are high compared to other Maharashtrian groups, but substantially lower than in southern Dravidian speaking groups.

Information

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1979, Cambridge University Press

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