This paper outlines the demographic characteristics of the Baiga tribe, one of the most primitive of the aboriginal tribal groups of Central India. The Baiga population has grown steadily since the first anthropological study of the tribe in the 1930s. Age at menarche, age at marriage, breast-feeding, and time interval between marriage and first conception are natural. There are more females than males. Sub-tribe endogamy is common; consanguineous marriage is favoured (34% of marriages are between first cousins) and marital distance is low (mean 7.1 km). Though the mean menarcheal age is high (15.2 years), mean age at first marriage is low (16.6 years), giving a long reproductive period.
PIP: India's 427 tribal groups comprise 8% of the country's population. Madhya Pradesh is the largest tribal state, with 23% of the country's tribal population. The Baiga tribe is one of the most primitive aboriginal tribal groups of central India. The recorded size of the Baiga population has grown steadily since 1901. 3117 people in 617 families were studied in 17 villages. 42% of the population was under age 14 years and 89% were under age 40. The mean menarcheal age is 15.2 years and mean age at first marriage 16.6 years. Age at menarche, age at marriage, breastfeeding, and time interval between marriage and first conception are natural in this society with more females than males. Subtribe endogamy is common; consanguineous marriage is favored, with 34% of marriages being between first cousins, and marital distance is low (an average of 7.1 km).