Молчание женщин и культура «избегания» на Северном Кавказе
Silence of women and culture of “avoidance” on the North Caucasus

Summary/Abstract: Mountaineers of the North Caucasus had a custom of avoidance according to which daughter-in-law had no right to talk to elder relatives of her husband. Avoidance existed also between husband and parents of his wife, and some elements of this custom applied to parents and children. A mountain woman led a secluded life: she was not capable, i.e. she couldn’t own property, conclude a bargain, couldn’t visit a shop on her own, and consult a doctor, because all these actions implied a talk with elder men. This custom imped-ed socialization of women during the modernization of the society that began in 1920s. That’s why soviet authorities organized large scale campaign of bringing mountain women in social activities, education, and cultural life. These measures gave results but the custom is still not completely overcome.

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