Bulgaria’s Annual Kalaidzhi Bride Market – End of Self-determination for Girls

The wedding marks the end of self-determination for girls, some as young as 15.

The film follows 17-year-old Teni and 19-year-old Maria in the week before the bride market that takes place in the southeast of Bulgaria.

For Teni, Maria, and many other young Roma, the preparations mean buying a lot of new clothes and masses of arrangements. However, for many young Roma, the practice is unacceptable, and in increasing numbers are rebelling against the marriage market. They want to make their own choices and marry who they chose.

The annual Kalaidzhi bride market at Bachkovo Monastery pairs off unmarried women with financially strong men, placing the dowry above love. The Kalaidzhi-a name meaning tinsmiths or boilermakers-only marry within the community. It is unthinkable to find a partner from outside, in particular a non-Roma Bulgarian.

The wedding is the end of self-determination for most girls-some as young as 15 as they will become housewives and mothers afterward.

The bride market is the only chance for young Roma to find a partner, as they are prohibited from dating, flirting or having any other pre-marital relations by their Orthodox Christian religion and conventional code of conduct.

Source: DW Docummentary