Bride Kidnapping Tradition In Kyrgyzstan

Christi • June 25, 2012 • 1 Comment

In rural Kyrgyzstan men still take part in bride kidnapping to get married.

The tradition says that a man can take any woman in the streets to force her into marriage. The man normally gathers friends and family to kidnap the woman. The woman is brought in, dressed in a wedding dress, and married the same day.

Thomas Morton, a Vice reporter, took part in one of the wedding celebrations. One of the elders said that the celebrations are already set for his son and they are just waiting for the bride to be broght there. One of the elders joked “be careful not to let her run away.” The tent was full of family members and with food laid out to celebrate the wedding.

Nearly half of all marriages are a result of bride kidnapping in rural Kyrgyzstan.

In one of the videos taken during the documentary, a woman in the video convinces a kidnapped bride that she doesn’t have a boyfriend and “no one dates.”

There are kidnapping laws in the country. It states that bride kidnapping itself is illegal.

However, the police does not stop it because they belive it’s an old tradition that they have to respect.

Although many people agree with this tradition the kidnapped women do not. There had been cases of suicide among the women who were forced to marry in this way.

According to statistics, bride kidnapping has resulted in suicide and divorce.

The women feel that they are humiliated by this tradition.

There had been protests against this tradition. But most rural areas continue to take part in it.

Kubanti was a young man who planned to marry a long time friend. He did not tell her they were going to marry that day. Watch the video below and tell us what you think?