Consanguineous marriages in Bandar Khamir and Bastak (Hormozgan province) folktales

Numerous studies indicated that consanguineous marriages are associated with the increased risk for several diseases. The prevalence of consanguinity has a geographical distribution, it is high among Asian and African populations, including Islamic countries and very rare in European populations. Given the hazards effects of such marriages on health of offspring, efforts should be made to identify the reasons of its tendency in each population and its cultural roots can be identified in order to reduce it in the population. In the present study the frequency of consanguinity in folktales collected form Bandar Khamir and Bastak (Hormozgan province) was investigated. In 70 folktales from Bandar Khamir, 35 marriages were recorded. From these, 26, 1, and 8 were marriages between unrelated persons, first-degree relatives and first cousins, respectively. In 13 folktales collected form Bastak, 10 marriages (9 with unrelated and 1 with first cousins) were recorded. It may conclude that consanguineous marriage is a deeply rooted cultural trait and it is associated with positive attitude to this type of marriages.