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The prevalence of preferential patrilateral parallel cousin marriage is recognized as a specific trait of the Arabs and their immediate Muslim neighbours. Most earlier studies have been of localized groups, villages or nomadic camps and, despite the urbanization and industrialization occurring in the Middle East, no recent data from urban contexts have been examined. In this paper the genealogical ties between spouses are analysed in a sample of 750 recently married couples from the city of Beirut. Consanguineous marriages are frequent, mainly first-cousin marriages. However, the classical predominance of patrilateral parallel cousin marriage is no longer evident in the most recent generation, which displays an equal preference for all types of cousin marriage. Hence, whereas endogamy persists in this town, its manifestation may well be changing.

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