Embed

Stolen Brides, Stolen Lives

Kyrgyz bride kidnapping tradition leads to tragedies

It's estimated at least half of brides in Kyrgyzstan are married against their will. This is the result of the tradition called Ala Kachuu, or "grab and run". The ancient Kipchak custom is that a poor young man in love would "steal" a girl, after having her consent, to pay her parents a reduced bride's price. However, with time, this tradition transformed into a serious crime, where girls are abducted against their will and even killed by their kidnappers. Until recently, the penalty for kidnapping was lower than for stealing cattle. Even if they are lucky enough to break free, girls risk losing their reputation and could have to stay with their abuser.

Will these girls ever have a safe future?

Subscribe to get stories the mainstream media ignores: Subscribe RTD's Youtube

WATCH FILM
Please rate this film

9.75(4 users)

Duration

1:04

Written by
Written by
Tags

don't miss

26:33
Sport 21 September 2015 00:00

Ready, Steady, Goat! The ancient nomad game of Kok Boru is a big hit in Central Asia

26:33
Human Rights 05 November 2012 00:00

Brides by Force. Marriage by kidnapping pushes Kyrgyz women to suicide

26:33
Investigation 03 December 2012 00:00

On the golden breadline

26:33
History 27 July 2016 00:00

Semirechye on Fire. A Story of Rebellion

26:33
Health 16 February 2014 00:00

Cold turkey in Kyrgyzstan. The Nazaraliev drug rehab centre in Kyrgyzstan cures addicts using rocks and shock therapy

26:33
Environment 22 February 2022 12:00

Dump. Scavengers of a Bishkek Landfill

26:33
Lifestyle 29 March 2017 00:00

The Good, The Bad and the Loco. Bolivia’s female wrestlers in national costume

26:33
Traditions 07 September 2015 00:00

The Invisible Women. Shunned from their families, widows in India driven to the streets to die

26:33
Human Rights 13 January 2017 00:00

Bride Trade. Fighting Tanzania's child bride tradition

26:33
Religion 19 April 2022 17:15

Voodoo Brides

26:33
Society 11 July 2012 00:00

Death control. Story of unusual funeral business in Russia

26:33
Arts and Culture 31 December 2012 00:00

Strictly Russian ballroom. Waltzes, period dresses and duels: why Russian ballroom dancing is experiencing a revival

26:33
Traditions 21 April 2013 00:00

Blood and honour. Chechen vendetta code

26:33
Society 12 June 2014 00:00

Tokal. Kazakh women who seek to become second wives

26:33
Investigation 02 March 2016 00:00

They Don’t just Dance. Afghan tradition of hiring boys for sex

26:33
Society 11 August 2017 00:00

Love Commandos. Saving inter-caste couples from honour killings

26:33
Personalities 01 December 2017 00:00

Jungle M.D. Brazilian neurosurgeon’s quest to help indigenous tribes and save the Amazon rainforest

26:33
Traditions 09 July 2018 00:00

Mexican Boom Town. Life, and death, in Tultepec, Mexico’s explosive fireworks capital

26:33
Traditions 28 September 2018 00:30

Enslaved by the Cult. Exploitation of young boys in Java’s ancient tradition

26:33
Society 13 May 2019 00:01

Iraq. The Story of My Family. An Iraqi family under pressure from sectarianism, ISIS and emigration

VIEWER’S CHOICE: 1,000,000 VIEWS AND MORE

VIEW ALL