Berdel

Berdel is a marriage custom in which two families agree to exchange a woman from each family, so that both weddings take place simultaneously or at the same time. This practice is also known as 'sighar' in some regions. The primary stated purpose is to avoid yarad (a bride price or property transfer), since the two exchanges are considered equivalent at the time the agreement is made.

The custom has been documented in eastern and southeastern Turkey, and among sections of Kurdish and other Middle Eastern communities. It is typically associated with rural areas where bride price is a significant financial burden, and with societies in which kinship and family considerations structure marriage arrangements.

How it works

The agreement is negotiated by the parents or elders of both families, who record the names of the girls and the man involved. Once the terms are settled, the two weddings usually take place at the same time, though occasionally a single joint wedding is held. Because both sides have obligations, unwritten conditions may exist: if one marriage fails or the marriage is dissolved, the other side faces the same consequence, and their marriage must also end. This creates a reciprocal link between the two unions.

Economic and social reasons

Families with limited means may view berdel as a way to reduce wedding expenses, particularly in places where bride price is high. It also strengthens the bond between two families in the same locality, and increases mutual interest in matters of land, livestock, and social support.

Rights debate

Women's rights organizations and educational bodies characterize the custom as limiting girls' decision-making power, since the arrangement rests on family agreement rather than individual consent. It has also been noted that some cases involve marriage of minors or young girls. Turkish law ties marriage to age and consent requirements, which means some berdel agreements cannot be legally registered, though they may continue as customary practice.