However, another murky phenomenon in African marriages which does not come under discussion as often is consanguineous (same-blood) marriages. The most notable kind of same-blood marriages is between first cousins but consanguineous marriages also involve other family members. Among the Hausa, Nigeria’s biggest ethnic group, same-blood marriages are popular. In North Africa, consanguineous marriages are still quite popular. Apart from metaphysical reasons proposed by cultures, modern scientific knowledge has also upended the prevalence of same-blood marriages in Africa.

Source: The North Africa Journal November 28, 2019 18:56 UTC