Murat Telibekov, a former rival of the Kazakhstani president andcurrent head of the opposition Muslim Union, has called for ‘VIPbrides’ to be the prize for the “strongest and most talenteddzhigits” – a skillful and brave equestrian – in matches of thetraditional Kazakh game ‘kokpar.’The rules of kokpar are quite similar to polo; the majordifference is that two teams, also on horseback, compete to carry aheadless goat carcass into a goal, instead of a ball.Telibekov suggested that the goat carcass be replaced by thebride-to-be. The one who wins the bride will earn a share of thecountry’s biggest banks as a reward, and a marriage gift. AllKazakh men would therefore have an equal shot at marriage, hesaid.“We need to set it all straight before the Kazakh people taketo the streets,” Total.kz news agency quoted Telibekov assaying.”There is a paradox here that always and everywhere there areinfluential sons-in-law, and not sons. Kazakhstan is the country ofinfluential sons-in-law. This situation must be corrected somehowto prevent the widespread discontent of Kazakhstan who can come uptomorrow with demonstrations,” Telibekov said.Moreover, he insisted that many people in Kazakhstan support theidea. An infamously scandalous politician, Telibekov frequently putsforward controversial initiatives surrounding marriage. He has saidthat the so-called ‘bride token’ – an amount of money or propertypaid by the groom or his family to the bride’s parents – does notcomply with Muslim ethics. This “ugly and exaggerated”tradition makes marriage impossible for less wealthy men, heexplained. … Read More
Stop dumping on Lena Dunham!
I couldn’t help noticing last evening, as I cheered for Lena Dunham, who won two Golden Globes, that those around her were decidedly less enthusiastic. Chilly even. I understand that no one likes to lose or see their friends lose, but faking some gracious smiles (you are supposed to be actors, after all) would have been nice. As well as appropriate, given that Dunham is clearly a talented young woman with great promise. I’d think that everyone in that room, knowing how the business works, would go out of their way to applaud the young and gifted Dunham if for no other reason than they might want to ask her for a job one day. If for no other reason, ladies, than she’s a young woman making it in a world still dominated by old men. And, hopefully, not being of a generation where women have felt pitted against each other — token against token — she will be good for the “girls.”Continue Reading… … Read More
