Have you ever been to a Chechen, Dagestani, Ingush or other Caucasian wedding? Unlikely. But if you do, you will be in for quite a surprise. Only here can you see expensive cars ramming each other. “Southern Automobile” will tell you about some of the bright traditions of Caucasian weddings.
Weddings in the Caucasus preserve centuries-old customs. And even in the modern world, many residents of the North Caucasus continue to observe them: they kidnap brides, shoot at motorcades and arrange car “clashes”.
Bride kidnapping
In many North Caucasian republics, they have been trying to eradicate the custom of bride kidnapping for decades, but so far without success. According to tradition, if a girl spends the night in a man’s house, she is obliged to marry him. This is what grooms take advantage of: they can grab the bride right on the street, throw a bag over her head or wrap her in a carpet. True, sometimes the abduction is not carried out very competently – while the groom carries the girl to the car, he can drop her several times, which often ends in injuries.
Shooting at weddings
Yes, there is shooting at Caucasian weddings – often and a lot. The highlanders have always been warlike, and weapons are part of the celebration here. Shots are also heard while the motorcade is moving: guests shoot from car windows. Unfortunately, sometimes stray bullets injure random passers-by.
Carpets on cars
This tradition has its roots in the past. In the past, people would ride horses to fetch the bride, and so that the villagers would not be afraid of the riders, they would lay carpets on the horses and take bright banners – this way it would be clear that the guests had arrived in peace. Today, carpets are hung on the hoods and roofs of cars, preserving the old custom. This can be seen especially often in Karachay-Cherkessia.
Car ramming
At Chechen and Ingush weddings, you can often see cars hitting each other – and these are expensive foreign cars. It’s all about tradition: the most honorable place in the cortege is right behind the bride’s car. Guests push to take this position, turning the process into a competition. The winner receives a prize – usually a carpet from the groom and his relatives.
Don’t interfere with the procession!
If you come across a Caucasian wedding on the road – do not under any circumstances join the procession or overtake it. This will be considered a terrible disrespect, and your car will simply be pushed off the road. It is better to stop and let the procession pass. Otherwise, some guest in a powerful car might, for example, drift at the intersection – so to avoid accidents and conflicts, just let the wedding pass.
