Marriages among the Tobol-Irtysh Tatars in the Late 18th – Early 20th Centuries

Marriages among the Tobol-Irtysh Tatars in the Late 18th – Early 20th Centuries

G.T. Bakieva.

This article reviews the normative structure that served as the basis for regulating marital and family relations among the Tobol-Irtysh Tatars. In considering relations of this type, the authorities permitted the use of traditional legal rules along with general civil law. The Siberian Tatars were Sunni Muslims according to their religion, and relied on the Sharia laws for the regulation of marital and family relations. An important trend was the empowerment of women. This was manifested in the possibility for a woman to marry according to her own will and to initiate divorce while maintaining protection of property. The property rights of spouses were regulated by the bride-price payment (kalym, mahr) and the marriage contract.

Keywords: Siberian Tatars, Orenburg Spiritual Governance for Muslims, the Sharia, adat, legislation, marriage,
marriage contract, bride-price, dowry, divorce.