Bulgarian bride markets

Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

Bride Markets are a yearly tradition of the Kalaidzhi or Kalaydjes that take place in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria where young women dress up to attract suitors who will pay for their hand in marriage. The bride market is held annually on the first Saturday of Lent. Although the name suggests that brides are bought at these events, it is more common that these events are used to meet potential suitors and prices are negotiated over the following months. Kanababa is a word that is also used to describe this practice; however, it is used more specifically to indicate paying for a girl's virginity and future rights for the husband and his family to any children that may come from the union. The Kalaidzhi are a subgroup of Roma people that host this event. The Kalaidzhi are semi-nomadic and bride markets act as a sort of reunion that also allow Kalaidzhi to find a spouse who is Kalaidzhi as well. Women sold at bride markets usually range in age from 13 to 20 years old, and the average price for a bride is around 2,500 Euros.

History

Early in its history this tradition was more strict and rigid. The discussion of prices was typically left up to the girl's family, the potential husband, and his family. The girls had little to no say in which suitor they liked and would prefer to marry. Girls were also expected to give up education to take over domestic chores and have children. In modern times this tradition has evolved, the girls are usually now more involved in the decision-making process, and do have a say in who their husband will be. The bride markets are now similar to a speed dating event where the girls can meet potential suitors. Prices are now negotiated over a long period of time rather than at the event itself.

Religion and Culture

Orthodox Christianity

The Kalaidzhi are a subgroup of the Roma people who practice Orthodox Christianity. In Orthodox Christianity a large part of morality is associated with sexuality. Sex outside of marriage is strictly prohibited, and sex is a subject that is not discussed openly. Women are held to a high standard in regards to sexuality and are expected to remain a virgin until marriage. Homosexuality is discouraged and often looked down upon in Orthodox Christianity.

Kalaidzhi and Roma Culture

In Kalaidzhi culture, if an unmarried girl is not a virgin it is seen as a shameful thing and a reflection on not only her but her entire family as well. In Kalaidzhi culture girls must be chaperoned when dating. Unmarried girls are additionally not permitted to see men or boys who are not in their family without a chaperone. In Kalaidzhi culture it is frowned upon to marry someone outside of the culture. The name Kalaidzhi means coppersmith, and this is the traditional work that Kalaidzhi have always done. In recent years there has been a decline in that field of work and Kalaidzhi have had to begin exploring other fields of work.

Education

63% of Roma women over the age of seven are functionally illiterate. Many girls are taken out of school in order to get married; the youngest girls to attend the bride markets are thirteen. Often, traditional education is seen as less of a priority than learning skills that could help to garner a higher price at a bride market such as cooking and cleaning.

Legality

Girls as young as 13 can be found at Bride Markets; however, Bulgarian law states that one must be over the age of 18 in order to get married. In Bulgaria, child marriages are illegal and such marriages would be considered informal unions without legal recognition. In order to still get married even though child marriage is prohibited, many pairs get married in their communities and have religious ceremonies but neglect to fill out any sort of legal documentation in regards to the marriage.

Pricing

The average price for a bride sold at a bride market would be 2,500 Euros. Pricing can be affected by many different factors and can range from around 1,000 to 10,000 Euros.

Physical Features and Age

Physical features are a large factor that influence price. Girls with lighter features are seen as more desirable in Kalaidzhi culture so they may fetch a higher price. This includes blue or green eyes, blonde or light brown hair, and pale skin. Husbands and their families prefer a wife with lighter features so that any children that are born will have lighter features passed onto them and then they will also be able to get a higher price at bride markets. Age also plays a large role. The usual age of women sold at bride markets is 13 to 20. Girls often begin attending bride markets after they get their first period and are deemed ready to marry. After 20, a woman is considered old to be unmarried and because of this the price may begin to drop down.

Social Class and Relations

Family class is another important factor in the bride market. The groom and his family often desire a bride of a similar or higher family class, and girls coming from a lower family class may not have as high of a price as a girl from a high class family. Relationships between families also come into play along with class. Two families may have a strong relationship over decades, and this can impact price.

Skills

A girl's practical skills can also be a determinant in what the price will be, such as cooking and housekeeping skills. Many Kalaidzhi girls are pulled out of school at a young age and very few complete higher education. In place of a traditional education, they may learn more domestic skills that can allow them to garner a higher price at the bride market.

Virginity

Virginity is very important as well. It is imperative in Kaladzhi culture that the girls being sold at the bride markets are virgins. Kanababa is a word used specifically in regard to virginity in Kalaidzhi culture. It signifies paying for the girl's virginity as well as ensuring that any children that come from the union belong to the husband and his family. If a girl is not a virgin, her family may accept a very low payment for her.

Dress

For the bride markets, the girls dress in their nicest clothes and jewelry in order to show off their looks and also to project wealth and high social class. In the months leading up to the bride market, families often search for the perfect outfit for the girls that will be attending so that they will be able to attract attention. Girls usually wear formal dresses/gowns and high heels. The girls also typically wear heavy makeup, and use powder in order to lighten their skin tone to fit in closer with Kalaidzhi ideals of beauty. The men looking for wives, and both of their families also dress in their nicest in order to make good impressions.

Citations

• [“In Bulgaria, a Culture That Still Embraces Buying and Selling of Brides.” The World from PRX, 21 Oct. 2011, https://theworld.org/stories/2011-10-21/bulgaria-culture-still-embraces-buying-and-selling-brides.]
• [Alexey Pamporov. “Sold Like a Donkey? Bride-Price among the Bulgarian Roma.” The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, vol. 13, no. 2, [Wiley, Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland], 2007, pp. 471–76, http://www.jstor.org/stable/4622960.]
• [Tomova, Ilona. “Bulgaria: The Persistent Challenges to Roma Education.” Central and Eastern European Online Library, Südosteuropa Gesellschaft, 2013, https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=175578.]
• [Hilton, Jodi. “Society: The Price of Love.” Transitions Online, Transitions Online, 1 Jan. 1970, https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=242802. ]
• [Levin, Eve. Sex and Society in the World of the Orthodox Slavs, 900–1700. Cornell University Press, 1995.]
• [“Orthodox Take Socially Conservative Views on Gender Issues, Homosexuality.” Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project, 17 Aug. 2020, https://www.pewforum.org/2017/11/08/orthodox-take-socially-conservative-views-on-gender-issues-homosexuality/.]
• [Tomova, Ilona. The Roma in Bulgaria: Education and Employment. Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, http://montescalearning.com/GLOBVillage/files/SMILE/MUS_28_tomova.pdf. ]

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