• Hemarana K
• Jayashree KV
• Elango T
• Michael Babu M

Abstract: The rate of consanguineous unions or blood related marriages varies by region and religion influenced by so many geographic and cultural factors. Marital distance, residential area, caste and parental consanguinity were some of the geographic and cultural factors chosen to study their influence over consanguinity among certain communities in Kanyakumari district. The communities chosen were Pallar, Sambavar, Bharathar, Paravan, Thandan, Chetty, Chakkalar, Kammalar, Kanikkar and Kattunayakan. Spouses resided below 10 Km radius contracted consanguineous unions at a higher rate (Paravans, 71.4%, Thandans, 66.3%, Sambavars, 50.5%, Chakkalars, 67.8% and Kanikkars, 51.4%) followed by 30 to 39 km. The percentage of consanguinity was more among the rural residents of Pallar (58.5%), Bharatar (59.4%), Paravan (69.3%), Thandan (58.7%), Chakkalar (58.8%) and Kammalar (62.3%) and in urban residents of Sambavars (51.2%), Chetty (64.6%), Kanikkar (52.2%) and Kattunayakan (70.6%). The percentage of consanguineous unions was higher among Kattunayakans (69.6%) and low among Sambavars (40.6%). More than 60% consanguinity was recorded among Kattunayakans (69.6%), Kammalars (60.5%) and Paravans (66.1%), between 50 to 60% among Bharatars (59.2%), Chakkalars (57.4%), Thandans (55.5%) and Pallars (54.6%). The rate of consanguinity below 50% was noticed among Kanikkars (47.1%) and Sambavars (40.6%). Highly significant association between caste system and the practice of consanguinity was found. The rate of offspring consanguinity was higher in families with previous history of parental consanguinity. Significant association between parental consanguinity and rate of consanguinity was observed only among Kammalars (high) and Chakkalars (low). The present study shows the influence of caste on the rate of consanguinity in the selected communities of Kanyakumari District than the other factors.

Consanguineous, Communities, Factors, Geographic, Cultural

"INFLUENCE OF GEOGRAPHIC AND CULTURAL FACTORS ON CONSANGUINITY IN CERTAIN COMMUNITIES OF KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no.306-311, June-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1906C50.pdf

"INFLUENCE OF GEOGRAPHIC AND CULTURAL FACTORS ON CONSANGUINITY IN CERTAIN COMMUNITIES OF KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no. pp306-311, June-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1906C50.pdf