Bride kidnapping in Kazakhstan
Bride kidnapping (Kazakh: Kyz alyp qashu) is a cultural practice in Kazakhstan, involving the kidnapping of a woman, in order to force the woman to marry the kidnapper.
Such kidnapping is divided into two types: kidnapping without the consent of the woman (kelisimsiz alyp qashu) and voluntary kidnapping (kelissimmen alyp qashu).
According to the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan, kidnapping can be sentenced to 10 to 15 years imprisonment. However, if the kidnapper voluntarily surrenders the abductee, he is released from criminal liability.[1]
History
[edit]The custom of kidnapping the bride to marry her was rarely practiced in Kazakhstan. Under the common law of Kazakhs, it was possible to kidnap a woman with her consent, especially when the man's family was too poor to pay a dowry.[2]
However, in the post-Soviet era, the prevalence of non-consensual bride kidnapping has increased, and is more frequently committed by men whom the "bride" does not know.
Cultural conditions
[edit]A kidnapped woman, even if she escapes, is stigmatized in her village. In the Islamic tradition, according to which a girl must keep her virginity until marriage, she cannot spend the night at another man's house if he is not her father or brother, which would put her virginity in doubt. Thus, her only social option is to escape the kidnapper's house before dark or agree to marry.[1][3]
In popular culture
[edit]In 2004, Peter Lom made a documentary called Ala Kachuu (trans. as Bride Kidnapping).[4]
See also
[edit]- Ala kachuu, a similar practice in Kyrgyzstan
References
[edit]- ^ a b Miłkowski K. M. Wymuszone małżeństwo w wyniku porwania w krajach Azji Centralnej Nowa Polityka Wschodnia 2017, nr 4 s. 191-203
- ^ "The Rise of Non-Consensual Bride Kidnapping in Kazakhstan: Developing a Culturally-Informed and Gender-Sensitive Response". Wilson Center. 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
- ^ "Ala Kachuu - Bride Kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan". Restless Beings. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
- ^ Oberon Amsterdam www.oberon.nl. "Bride Kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan | IDFA". Retrieved 2020-04-20.