The Abduction of the Bride

In Central Asia, as well as in the Caucasus, until the early 20th century, there were two significantly different types of abduction:

1) without the consent of both the bride and her family;
2) with the consent of the bride, but against the will of her family.

Many peoples are also familiar with a third type - by agreement among all interested parties and individuals.

Bride kidnapping (gyz alyp kachmak) was resorted to when parents and relatives disapproved of the marriage, when there was disagreement over the amount of kalym, or when simulating a bride theft. Traditional abduction has still been preserved among former nomadic peoples; moreover, in the Soviet and post-Soviet periods, there is currently a trend towards its increase.

This custom was conditioned by certain historical reasons. Since the bride was "sold" or given away by her parents for a certain kalym, some lovers, by mutual desire, decided on a desperate step - the bride's escape from her parental home. The abduction (in Kyrgyz - ala-kachuu) was carried out with the bride's consent when her parents opposed the marriage. The groom would only carry out the abduction if his relatives were influential people and could support him.

The quintessence of gender discrimination can be considered the medieval practice of the Kyrgyz, Turkmen, and Kazakhs of actual bride kidnapping, i.e., without her consent. Violence against a girl is viewed by those around her as an ancient custom signifying her entry into marriage. Despite the fact that the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic currently provides for punishment for this crime, cases of victims reporting to the police are extremely rare.

To this day, the simulation of bride theft is quite widespread. In reality, the groom and bride often agree on the abduction themselves to simplify the ritual. Such cases can be seen as a form of protest against the traditions of unconditional obedience of daughters.