Restless Beings Project:

Ala Kachuu

What is Ala Kachuu?

Ala Kachuu is a form of bride kidnapping that is largely non consensual and often involves the violent mistreatment and rape of women. This practice stems from a romantic tradition in Central Asia where the prospective groom 'kidnaps' the prospective bride from her home so that he can marry her.

As is inevitable, most of these marriages end up in domestic violence, repeated rape, forced abortions and eventually broken families. The remnants and the worst affected are of course the women who cannot return to their home. Even when sex does not take place, once a woman has been kept overnight, even for a single night, her virginity is put in doubt in her community.

With her honour disgraced, the woman will have very few other options for marriage. Thus, after one night of capture, she is culturally compelled to marry the man who kidnapped her. Such immense social stigma is attached to a refusal to marry after being kidnap that the victim usually feels that she has no choice but to agree, and some of those who refuse even commit suicide after the kidnapping.

Studies, by researcher Russell Kleinbach, have found that although bride kidnapping is illegal in Kyrgyzstan, an estimated 50% of marriages in the country are the result of Ala Kachuu, and around two-thirds of these are non-consensual kidnappings, with Uighur women most vulnerable to it.

Who is affected by Ala Kachuu?

Initially our research on Ala Kachuu led us to believe this practice is prevalent amongst the Uighur people but after our trip to Kyrgyzstan in 2011, we realised that women across Central Asia are affected by Ala Kachuu.

Proposal

Focus on Ala Kachuu localised and centralised in Kyrgyzstan but also look at other parts of the world and how they can help women in Kyrgyzstan.

To continue research on Ala Kachuu in Kyrgyzstan and around Central Asia.
To raise awareness of Ala Kachuu and combat it's practice.
To build a network nationally in Kyrgyzstan and internationally, to enable and facilitate a counselling service for women using support from other countries.
To evaluate the impact of our work and undertake field research.

Country initiative against bride kidnapping?

Bride kidnapping has once again grabbed the attention of the Kyrgyz government, claiming that a few things will be put into place to combat Ala Kachuu on a national level.

“The Kyrgyz government is using TV, radio and visits to schools to fight bride-kidnapping…”

Creating Change Through Awareness

The American University of Central Asia played host to a workshop/seminar hosted by British Human Rights organization Restless Beings. Having recently registered to carry out social work in Kyrgyzstan, Restless Beings approached the University in early April to arrange this special workshop.

Restless Beings began its field research in the spring of 2011 in and around Bishkek on the issue of non consensual Ala Kachuu (Bride Kidnapping). Having previously worked alongside Kyz Kogon and Dr Russell Kleinbach (Professor at AUCA), Restless Beings have decided to begin operations in Kyrgyzstan to work towards the long term education against non consensual bride kidnapping and in the short term to provide counseling and a degree of comfort for victims of Ala Kachuu.

Four Old Women And A White Scarf

The day in Bishkek was a warm one, with clear skies and another opportunity to sport my Kyrgyz shades. Also the perfect weather for some off the cuff creativity.

After having tea with the director of 'I love Bishkek' a few days back, we agreed to do some collaborative work with a twist for the Restless Beings Ala Kachuu project.

Filling our bellies with lunch, the team were ready to start working from 4pm. A 27 strong team were all made up, briefed and prepped by 5pm - ready for some thought provoking antics.

Trip to Kyrgyzstan

This year during April (2011), the directors of Restless Beings embarked on a research field trip to Kyrgyzstan to further their research for the bride kidnapping project. Whilst in Kyrgyzstan, the directors met with individuals, groups, organisations who have immensely contributed to the gradual development of the project.

Victims of bride kidnapping came forward to share their stories, they come in all ages from women in their 60's to teenage girls, evidently, illustrating that this epidemic has been around for generations and has not been dealt with.

Bride Kidnapping: Back on Kyrgyzstan's human rights agenda

On 10 November 2011 the Kyrgyzstan Ombudsman for monitoring human and civil rights announced a month of actively promoting human rights and freedoms, in particular addressing bride abduction. Each year the Kyrgyz's ombudsman champions a marginalised human rights issue and more than ever bride kidnapping, also known as Ala Kachuu, has been on the increase in the country and amongst its neighbours. Recently journalist Fayzia Ahmadova reported Tajikistan had seen a growing trend in bride kidnappings. No formal government investigations have developed yet there are a fear that influences from Kyrgyz neighbours may be developing a "new custom" in Tajikistan.

Chinese National Day

1st of October marked the Chinese National Day, where the Chinese government celebrated with pride, the foundation of the People's Republic of China. However, not everyone shared the happiness and delight for that which is the Chinese National Day. What some regard as a day for rejoicing for others symbolises the loss of freedom and human rights endured for the past 62 years. For the Uyghur's, the Chinese National Day represents a day of mourning.

Bride kidnapping - A Kyrgyz Manhood Tradition

Women in Kyrgyzstan have many things to be proud of but ala kachuu (bride kidnapping) is not one of them. Kyrgyzstan attained independence in 1991, and has seen the resurgence of an old 'tradition' - ala kachuu. Bride kidnapping occurs when a prospective groom abducts a prospective bride against her wishes and coerces her into marriage. Unfortunately, this new phenomenon is rising rapidly.

Two-year anniversary of 'ethnic riot'

July 5th 2011 marks the second anniversary of one of the saddest and most tragic days in the history of the Uyghur people".

On July 5th 2009 what was meant to be a peaceful protest by the Uyghur people in Urumqi, China turned into a series of violent ethnic riots. The Chinese security forces violently suppressed the peaceful protest and according to official figures around 200 protesters were killed however, the Chinese authorities do not declare the real number of deaths.

The Murder of the Right to Peaceful Protest Remembering the brave of the Gulja Massacre

14 years ago today the Chinese government committed one of the most horrific attacks on thousands of peaceful Uighur protestors, and has since tried its utmost to cover up the atrocity and escape any accountability. In one day alone, over a hundred innocent and peaceful demonstrators were killed. And over the subsequent days, the death toll escalated horrifically, with many thousands more Uighurs injured or imprisoned and intensely persecuted.

"I have never seen such viciousness in my life...military dogs were attacking peaceful demonstrators. Chinese soldiers were bludgeoning the demonstrators……bodies, some alive, others dead, were being dragged across the ground and dumped all together into dozens of army trucks."

Photo Essay: Uighur Identity, by David Degner

The Uighurs of Xinjiang are one of 55 minorities in China, but they are ethnically and historically closer to the Muslim Turkic groups of Central Asia. The Chinese government is trying to cement its hold on the resource rich Xinjiang by suppressing cultural and religious differences in schools and workplaces and by resettling millions of eastern Chinese into the wild western region.

Racism, language requirements and lack of education prevents many young Uighurs from getting contemporary jobs while their traditional roles as traders and farmers have become unprofitable. As Chinese influence increases, Uighurs must adapt to the Chinese way or be left behind economically.

← Previous 1 2 Next →