[Soma]

Well, this is one way to get a woman:

Bride Kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan (Vice)

Interesting how the expert explains the custom as not actually a historical tradition but rather a cultural response to Soviet imposed male/female equality.

[Caligula]

Really interesting.

It seems that in many cases the families negotiate before the kidnapping, meaning it's more of an arranged marriage. Sometimes they're even dating before the kidnapping and it's more of a ritual.

I wonder what percentage of these are cold, off-the-street kidnappings by strangers. Probably not a lot.