Ritual Economy, or How Much Is Spent on A Wedding in Central Asia

Abstract

The article describes the rituals that form a complex of wedding traditions in the countries of Central Asia. We are talking about rites (pre-wedding, wedding and post-wedding) and related expenses. Observance of traditions imposes heavy financial obligations on the families of the bride and groom, driving them into credit burden and depriving them of economic well-being for many years. Why do families participate in this wasteful excess? What drives them? The article focuses on decoding the institute of Central Asian wedding. The article is based on interviews with students from Central Asian countries studying in Moscow. Arrival in Moscow indicates a willingness to accept values conventionally called "Western". Representatives of the westernized youth critically evaluate the economy of weddings, seeing no sense in following traditions that condemn families to excessive waste. In their opinion, the reproduction of the ritual economy is supported by public opinion and is based on the fear of the family to spoil the reputation. The wedding turns into an act of demonstrative generosity, which confirms the social status of families.Students reconstruct the logic of parents in terms of being forced to follow certain rules under vigilant social control: the rule of the reciprocal exchange of gifts; demonstration of social status and maintaining the prestige of the family; competition between the families of the bride and groom; confirmation of membership in a related clan; showing loyalty within the official hierarchy, investing in a career. Despite the legislative restrictions on the scale of weddings adopted in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan no impressive results have been achieved. The discrepancy between social expectations threaten to turn into reputational losses. People continue to pay tribute to the requirements of the ritual economy, going to all sorts of tricks in order not to fall under the sanctions of the state