One of the themes I would like to further investigate is the
tradition of ukuthwala, which is basically abducting a woman and thus
compelling her to be your wife. Although this tradition is no longer popular in
many places over the world, in the early years this custom and idea of marriage
was considered normal and even seen as a privilege. However through the
development of the world through the introduction of women’s rights, equality
and the feminism movements these have become to be regarded as criminal
activities, rather than customs nor traditions as they have been formally known
as.
Although no longer in practice in some areas of the world,
this type of passage of becoming a bride is a rather interesting subject as it
can be seen through the eyes of many cultures and would thus not be subject to
one source nor view point. There were women who became wives and are still
wives through this custom or act of violation as one may see it. Families and
communities were founded and sadly exist due to bridal abduction, this custom
has given women a chance to marry and yet it has driven many women to suicide. The
question is why was it ever seen as okay, to simply kidnap a woman to force her
into marriage, or is there something more to this than meets the eye?
Whatever the reasons may be, there are stories to be told,
there are voices to be heard and this is a bridal narrative worth creating.
UKUTHWALA
Ukuthwala: Is it culture correct or culture corrupt?
Forced marriage through Ukuthwala is now a criminal offence
http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/its-hard-to-believe-that-bride-kidnapping-exists-in-2017/news-story/9e7a445078231d94da67be33e3bb9157
