Ethnologist: 'The Thai people in Nghe An do not practice wife abduction'

(Baonghean.vn) - "This is just an unusual phenomenon in society. The Thai people of Nghe An do not have the custom of wife abduction," Dr. Vi Van An affirmed when speaking about the "wife abduction" video clip that has caused a stir on social media in recent days.

Dr. Vi Van An, working at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, is known as a leading expert in ethnology in Vietnam today. A Thai researcher from Nghe An province, he has over 30 years of research experience on the cultures of minority communities in Vietnam and many Southeast Asian countries.

From the early days of his research into the culture of ethnic minorities, he traveled to most of the minority areas in Nghe An and was very familiar with the marriage customs of the Thai community. "The Thai people in Nghe An do not practice wife abduction," Dr. An affirmed.

Dr. Vi Van An, who works at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, argues that wife abduction is not a custom of the Thai people. (Photo: Vi An)

The custom of wife abduction is unique to the Hmong people. In many cases, a wife is abducted without her consent. However, after the groom's family completes the wedding procedures, the marriage is usually accepted by both the girl and her family. This custom is widely recognized within the community.

Historically, Thais were free to choose their partners, and elopements only occurred when the couple was forbidden from being together, or when the groom's family was too poor to afford a wedding and the girl willingly agreed to marry. Cases of "kidnapping" a wife without her consent are merely an isolated phenomenon and cannot be considered a custom. This phenomenon is not widespread and is not widely recognized by the community, so it cannot be called a custom.

The Thai custom of a wedding procession at night. Photo: Ha Lanh

Regarding the "wife abduction" video that recently went viral on social media in Nghe An, Mr. An stated: "That is an unusual social phenomenon. Those who perform this act and claim it is a custom of the Thai people are wrong."

Huu Vi