The couple in the picture were featured in an advertising campaign urging people to marry by mutual consent.

Kidnapped

About 40% of the brides in Kyrgyzstan are simply kidnapped and married by force. This is a tribal custom from many generations ago, so for many it is "traditional," but it actually breaks one of the ten commandments "You shall not steal." During the Soviet era the practice was suppressed but not altogether eliminated, however, it has grown in scale in recent decades. Happily a small majority of marriages are arranged, negotiated and mutually agreed upon. Bride kidnapping is illegal but most violators are not prosecuted. Islam is also against forced marriages.

In most cases the young girls do not consent to the kidnapping and often the "marriage" is consummated by simple rape. Some give their consent to avoid difficulties, others genuinely decide to simply accept their "destiny," their families are invited and a marriage takes place. Many girls stay with their new husband but others seek to escape, a minority of young women commit suicide or are simply murdered if they do not cooperate. Above all, the psychological trauma is very important to remember.

Typical Dating Impossible

Typically a young man may make efforts to "date" girls although typical "Western dating" is practically impossible in Kyrgyzstan.* Kyrgyz society greatly limits the amount of time that young men and women may spend together. Perhaps a family will seek to negotiate a match. Sometimes this works, and a marriage is arranged. However, many young men find themselves in difficult circumstances where they are not able to get married for various financial, family, social or personal reasons. In those cases they will often kidnap with the active participation of their friends (80-90% of the cases) and their extended families (parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins). The good and bad qualities of the perspective brides are debated and plans are devised.

This Is Our Way

Young women are abducted just about anywhere or anytime, it can happen at home, in public or even while working in the fields. The kidnapped bride is often brought to her future husband’s family and his women relatives are enrolled to seek to persuade the girl to accept her destiny and joyfully receive her new husband. Many will say "I too was kidnapped, we all were kidnapped. This is our way."

Kyrgyzstan Flag

Kyrgyzstan Map

Prayer Starters

• Many Kyrgyz Muslims are involved in seeking to change this situation by various means. Ask God to bring the Kyrgyz people to a real heart change in this area.
• Pray for healing for those who have suffered.
• Ask the Lord to bring further revelation to the Kyrgyz people about the true nature and meaning of marriage (Ephesians 5:21-33).

* One could seriously question whether or not typical “Western style dating” is actually a good solution to the problem of finding a mate!

Video: Witness - Kidnapped Brides (10:18)

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Following the Mongol rule in the 13th century, Kyrgyzstan came under Russian rule in the 1800s and after 1937 was called the Kyrgyz Soviet Republic. Agriculture was increasingly collectivised under Stalin, despite strong resistance from the nomadic Kyrgyz. In the resulting tensions hundreds of thousands of Kyrgyz were forcibly settled, driven into China or killed. In 1991 Kyrgyzstan declared itself independent from the Soviet Union, resulting in democratic reforms and change to a market economy. Economic crisis and the decline of state agriculture followed in the years after independence, so many Kyrgyz adopted a traditional lifestyle again. Nomadic families herd their sheep and horses and live in tents called "yurts".

Kyrgyzstan's Culture

Kyrgyz love to tell stories and drink tea. Weddings and funerals are significant events for them - but also unfortunately result in financial ruin for many. Few people have regular jobs, and even teachers, medical employees and others are forced to take other jobs owing to low wages.

Islam came to Kyrgyzstan in the 17th century, being strongly influenced by animistic beliefs. Since independence Islam has become a source of cultural identity, even though few practise their faith: being Kyrgyz means being a Muslim. The Islamic influence is steadily growing and most villages have a mosque or prayer room. More and more children go to Koranic schools and Islam is being taught in state schools. Unfortunately, the Kyrgyz usually think of "Christians" in terms of the Orthodox Christianity of the Russians who have also been their oppressors.

Kyrgyzstan Flag

Kyrgyzstan Map

God continues to build His kingdom in Kyrgyzstan. In Bishkek and the larger cities the gospel can be proclaimed relatively openly, and many churches have started. It is estimated that there are 5,000-6,000 Kyrgyz believers. In rural areas, families and the authorities exercise strong pressure on new believers, and many areas are still completely unreached. Unemployment is high among Christians, but some Kyrgyz believers want to reach out to their own people and the neighbouring peoples as well. Small Bible schools and training programmes have been started to prepare the Christians for ministry. A new translation of the Bible into the Kyrgyz language has been completed, and there is a Christian bookshop in Bishkek. Foreign workers are still needed, especially to teach, counsel and advise Kyrgyz Christians.

Pray for the Muslims in Kyrgyzstan:

* Christians need jobs so that they can have a good testimony in general and so that the churches can become financially independent (1 Thess 4:10-12). Pray for God's hand in these areas.

* Discipleship, leadership training and the production and distribution of the appropriate biblical material are key issues. Pray for these things in the context of the growth of the Church in Kyrgyzstan.

* Pray especially for those Christians who are isolated in their villages (Heb 10:24-25).

Background on Kyrgyzstan (World Factbook)

A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1864; it achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Nationwide demonstrations in the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster of President Askar AKAYEV, who had run the country since 1990. In July 2009, after months of harassment against his opponents and media critics, BAKIEV won re-election in a presidential campaign that the international community deemed flawed. In April 2010, nationwide protests led to the resignation and expulsion of BAKIEV. He was replaced by President Roza OTUNBAEVA who will serve as president until 31 December 2011 according to a presidential decree issued 19 May 2010. Current concerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises, expansion of democracy and political freedoms, reduction of corruption, improving interethnic relations, and combating terrorism.

Economy of kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with a dominant agricultural sector. Cotton, tobacco, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products, although only tobacco and cotton are exported in any quantity. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, and electricity. The economy depends heavily on gold exports - mainly from output at the Kumtor gold mine.

About Kyrgyzstan

Population: 5,587,443 (July 2011 est.) World rank #109

Life Expectancy at Birth: 70.04 years. World rank #147

Ethnic groups: Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uygur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census)

Religions: Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%

Languages: Kyrgyz (official), Russian (official)

Literacy: 98.7% -- Male: 99.3%, Female: 98.1%

School life expectancy: 12 years

Kyrgyzstan - Video

Sights and Sounds of Kyrgyzstan

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