Abstract

GUASTUMAL LLANOS, Juan Carlos et al. Inbreeding, Consanguinity, Violence, and Family Histories in Boyacá: An Interpretation Between Population Genetics and Social Anthropology. Rev. colomb. antropol. [online]. 2026, vol.62, n.1, e2994.  Epub Jan 01, 2026. ISSN 0486-6525.  https://doi.org/10.22380/2539472x.2994.

This article examines the causes of endogamy and consanguinity in Boyacá, a Colombian region where these practices have traditionally been attributed to Indigenous heritage. However, this study demonstrates that they are primarily driven by historical, social, and economic factors. Through an interdisciplinary analysis across 39 municipalities, key elements such as colonial reorganization, political bipartisanship, and traditional family structures were identified as influential in the consolidation of these practices. Given that the Boyacá Departmental Health Plan (2024-2027) identifies genetic diseases as one of the leading causes of mortality in children under five, there is a clear need for a public health approach that takes sociocultural factors into account. Despite migration and technological advancements, endogamy persists in some rural communities. Understanding these factors will enable the development of more effective intervention strategies.

Keywords : inbreeding; consanguinity; family structures; ethnography; rural contexts.

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