- Source: Merariq
Merariq is a traditional marriage practice in the Sasak culture of Lombok, Indonesia, but it is not exactly "bride kidnapping" in the sense typically associated with the term.
Description
In Merariq, the practice involves the symbolic "elopement" of the bride and groom, where the bride is taken (or "kidnapped") to the groom's house. However, this is often consensual and part of an established cultural norm, with both the bride and groom's families typically aware of and involved in the process. It is a traditional ritual rather than an actual forced abduction.
However, there can be variations, and while the practice is largely symbolic, it can sometimes be misinterpreted or lead to situations that resemble non-consensual bride kidnapping, depending on how it is carried out in certain communities.
