Matrimonial distance, inbreeding coefficient and population size: dhangar data

Abstract

Data on the distance between the birthplaces of spouses (matrimonial distance) were collected from 2260 married individuals belonging to 21 endogamous castes of the Dhangar (shepherd) caste-cluster of Maharashtra, India. The general form of the distribution of matrimonial distances is one which is extremely positively skewed and leptokurtic. The percentage of intra-village marriages generally decreases from the southern areas of Maharashtra to the northern areas of the state, as does the inbreeding coefficient. This situation is in conformity with the socio-cultural norms regulating matrimonial choice in south and north India. An attempt has been made to relate the degree of inbreeding to the mean matrimonial distance and population size. The mean matrimonial distance is more useful in predicting the degree of inbreeding than population size.