Bride Kidnapping - The Caucasus

The Caucasus

Bride kidnapping is an increasing trend in the countries and regions of the Caucasus, both in Georgia, and Azerbaijan in the South and in Dagestan, Chechnya and Ingushetia in the North. The traditions in the Caucasus, though appearing in distinct cultures, may have emerged during Ottoman rule. In the Caucasian versions of bride-kidnapping, the kidnap victim's family may play a role in attempting to convince the woman to stay with her abductor after the kidnapping, because of the shame inherent in the presumed consummation of the marriage.