Author(s): Semra GÃNAY, ErdoÄan BOZ
Marriage is a foundation which is very important for the continuity of society and is formed by agreements before marriage, such as ceremonies, customs and traditions. Bride-price is a form of cultural imposition (pressure) and a tradition which still exists today. Even though, in terms of number of those who practice this tradition has been decreasing, bride-price has been internalized in a wide geographical area, and its origin goes back to hundreds of years. Other terms which are used and are synonymous to bride-price include breast milk money (süt paras?), dowry-money (kalin), survival-wealth (kalim), worth (bedel), wedding-time (günsalik), right of father (babahakki), right of mother (ana-hakk?). While conducting field research, we have recognized that brides who migrated to rural areas of Eski?ehir, used the term “money of breast milk”. In this research, we have used qualitative and quantitative research methods to focus on dimensions and causes of bride migration, migration duration, migration processes of brides, living conditions of brides, use of native language (Kurdish Language), and fraudulent behavior regarding breast milk money. Our research findings show that, for those girls and widowed or divorced women where the form of migration took place in exchange for breast milk money, gave their consent to migrate as brides. In terms of girls who live in rural areas, gave their consent because they wanted to live in cities, whereas in terms of widowed or divorced women who had their own incomes for living expenses gave their consent as they did not want to marry for the second time. Among the findings, we also found out that most of the brides who migrated, received some assistance from an acquaintance, who acted as a mediator and who lived in Eski?ehir. In addition to that we have learned that, there were some people who practiced mediatorship as a profession. These brides, who are native Kurdish speakers, speak Kurdish with their families and other Kurds. Most of the brides stated that they got used to their new lifestyle and adapted to Eski?ehir easily.
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