Genetic distances among the Ho tribe and other groups of Central Indians

The Ho, a settled tribal group of Chota Nagpur, India, were tested for five genetic characters. Genetic distance among eleven tribal groups of Bihar, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh are calculated according to Edwards ('71). Affinities of these tribes are discussed taking into consideration the languages spoken by them. These breeding groups may have drifted apart along the paths of their dialect differentiations. Cultural and geographical factors further enhanced their isolation.