On her head the traditionally-dressed bride wears a tall conical hat with a veil to cover her face. Some of the cash may go toward furnishing the bride's dowry, and often the animals are eaten at the wedding feast. In the Soviet era, most brides and grooms in Kyrgyzstan were under 20. Many couples now also go to church or mosque for a blessing of the union – but this may be on a different day. A bride price was paid by the groom’s family and the marriage was sanctified in a betrothal ceremony, called a Couples traditionally married young and girls were expected to remain virgins until they were married. There is food and dancing through the night. When the parties have agreed, the groom's mother puts golden earrings in the bride's ears. During this visit, the groom's parents offer a large present to the bride’s mother — "sut akysy". The bride must have a dowry, consisting of clothing, sleeping mats, pillows, and often a handknotted rug. In any case, even if the groom has kidnapped the bride, the bride's parents must send a dowry — "sep" — to the bride and groom. Sons should get married in order, with the eldest marrying first and the youngest last. In the Soviet era, a formal wedding began with the registration of the marriage in the Communist party office. Polygamy is not practiced, but it is common for people to have lovers when they are married. Some married women wear scarves over their hair to show that they are married, and both women and men wear rings on the ring fingers of their right hands.New brides are the lowest in the family hierarchy, and spend a lot of time cleaning, cooking, and taking care of children. Family forms the backbone of Kyrgyz society to this day, and marriage and family relationships remain significant. Offspring from such unions were given low status positions in the clan. The bride is expected to cry, because she is leaving her family. Now, there is usually one main wedding celebration, usually held at a wedding hall. On the second day the bride and groom celebrate separately with … [Source: everyculture.com] Kyrgyz Wedding Traditions Of all the important events in the life of a Kyrgyz, the wedding is the most significant. If visiting or staying with a family, guests should bring small gifts or photographs, especially from their home country. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Families traditionally would produce most of what they would need to survive, and would take care of each other in times of need or sickness. Wealthy men sometimes had several wives. At this point the bride’s mother and female friends sing a “koshik”, or wail, to say “goodbye”. The custom of giving earrings is called “soiko saluu”. [Source: everyculture.com] Couples often participated in both traditional and civil marriage ceremonies. Couples traditionally married young and girls were expected to remain virgins until they were married. The new bride spends three days in the home of her new in-laws, behind a curtain and visitors come to visit, to see the bride. This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been authorized by the copyright owner. This means that the young couple is engaged from this very moment. During the Soviet period weddings lost much of their religious significance, and although religion is now enjoying a revival, many still opt for a civil ceremony at the local registry office (ZAKS). In other areas, such as Bishkek and the Chui valley both sexes delay marriage. There are older Kyrgyz traditions for weddings, as well as more modern customs featuring Western elements. The bride and groom will wear more typically Western clothing, and the celebration will include lots of eating, dancing, and toasts. She also wears jewelry made from gold, jewels, pearls and coral, which may well be a family heirloom – handed down through the family for generations. Weddings traditionally are a way to celebrate a bride leaving her family and joining her groom’s, and in Kyrgyzstan, weddings sure are a big celebration.
In northern, remote, mountain areas there is a tendency for older men (say at 30) to marry younger girls (say 20). The bridegroom then takes the bride and her betrothal gifts back to his home. [Source: everyculture.com] Generally Kyrgyz only married othe… In the evening, around about five or six o'clock in the evening, everybody gathers in a restaurant or cafe where a wedding toi (party) is held with lots of feasting, drinking and presents and money in envelopes. Some families even make their own blankets, tush kiyiz, clothes and so forth. It is usually a cow. It is common for girls to marry younger than men. Then all decide the time and place of wedding - "Toi". The slaughter of sheep was also hidden. The bride’s mother, sisters in law and friends erect a white yurt – and the groom’s party come to collect her and take her away. Often a lesser bride price is still paid after a girl is stolen, but a dowry is not provided.
If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. At a traditional wedding party guests feast on pilaf, roasted mutton and other foods in a yurt or several yurts.
The traditional bride’s dress is long, white with fancy embroidery in fine threads, and embellished with beads and sequins. After the ceremonies are complete the groom’s family place a scarf over the bride’s head as a symbol of blessing. [Source: everyculture.com] Often rings are placed on the ring finger – usually by both husband and wife — after a Muslim blessing.
[Source: advantour.com] People tend to get married young, though men are generally several years older than the women when they get married.Grooms should ask for permission to marry from the bride’s family and negotiate a bride price.
The edges of the jacket may be embroidered with traditional patters. Guests are seen to be a gift from God, and are treated with the utmost respect. Though origin of the tradition in the region is disputed, the rate of nonconsensual bride kidnappings appears to be increasing in several countries throughout Central Asia as the political and economic climate changes. Apparently there now is a current trend in Kyrgyzstan for young people to put off being married until later in life.