There is an interesting article in the New York Times International by Craig Smith. It is about the common abduction of women known as “ala kachuu” which translates roughly as “grab and run” for marriage in Kyrgyzstan. I remember my interrupter telling me that she would protect me against abduction while I was in Almaty. The article states that recent surveys suggest that the rate of abductions has steady grown in the last 50 years and that at least a third of Kyrgyzstan’s brides are now taken against their will. “The custom predates the arrival of Islam in the 12th century and appears to have its roots in the region’s once-marauding tribes, which periodically stole horses and women from rivals when supplies ran low. It is practived in varying degrees across Central Asis but is most prevalent in Kyrgyzstan, a poor mountainous land that for decades was a backwater of the Soviet Union.” What is even sadder is the statement, “Brutal as the custom is, it is widely perceived as practical.” Does make me pause. Thanks Maryjo for sharing this with me. Karen
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Hi Karen: I spoke to an American yesterday who lives in Krygstan. She had not seen the article, but did say that many of these “snatchings” are indeed “ceremonial” with full consent by both parties. There is a “traditon” of the groom “fighting” the relatives for the bride: basically the groom pushes his way through a group of male relatives to get to his intended. But she did acknowledge exactly what the article talked about: once the future mother-in-law gets that “scarf” put on the “bride”s head, she is then considered a member of their clan/group/family. There is also a stigma attached denying or retreating from the situation — you are “damanged goods”. And then here do seem to be some stories of more “modern” situations where the woman just walks away and says “too bad, but I’m not having any part of this” and getting on with her life. Sounds very complicated to me!
I’m sorry that Keti isn’t going to make it, but I wasn’t sure if her trip is postponed for this year for just for a few weeks? Maryjo