Alcohol_IV
02-15-2007, 01:36 AM
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42540000/jpg/_42540493_samaritans203.jpg
She looks happy, huh?
Ancient community seeks brides abroad (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6333475.stm)
After years of trying to find a bride within the Samaritan community, Yair Coen found a mail-order bride - from Ukraine.
"There are no women better than Samaritan women," says the 45-year-old Mr Coen, standing beside his blonde 22-year-old Ukrainian wife, Alexandra.
"But I had no luck. I was forced to go overseas."
For almost 3,000 years the Samaritans, an ancient people descended from the Kingdom of Israel, have been a continual presence in the Middle East.
Once there were 1.5 million Samaritans in the region, but following centuries of forced conversion and persecution the community now numbers just 704.
Warm welcome
Within the tiny population, the issue of marriage is of extreme importance to the Samaritans if their unique way of life is to continue.
But recently the community has been facing another crisis - a shortage of marriageable women.
For every four single men, there are roughly three women.
As a result, a number of Samaritan men are searching for brides far from home - mainly in Eastern Europe and Russia.
In the last few years, six men from the community have taken such brides.
Mr Coen, a trader, says that they are welcomed in the community.
Neutrality amid strife
"They are good for our future," he says, "because our numbers are increasing."
-----
Of course, these marriages are going to doom Eastern Europe by depopulating it. Do they not have men there?
More at the link above.
She looks happy, huh?
Ancient community seeks brides abroad (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6333475.stm)
After years of trying to find a bride within the Samaritan community, Yair Coen found a mail-order bride - from Ukraine.
"There are no women better than Samaritan women," says the 45-year-old Mr Coen, standing beside his blonde 22-year-old Ukrainian wife, Alexandra.
"But I had no luck. I was forced to go overseas."
For almost 3,000 years the Samaritans, an ancient people descended from the Kingdom of Israel, have been a continual presence in the Middle East.
Once there were 1.5 million Samaritans in the region, but following centuries of forced conversion and persecution the community now numbers just 704.
Warm welcome
Within the tiny population, the issue of marriage is of extreme importance to the Samaritans if their unique way of life is to continue.
But recently the community has been facing another crisis - a shortage of marriageable women.
For every four single men, there are roughly three women.
As a result, a number of Samaritan men are searching for brides far from home - mainly in Eastern Europe and Russia.
In the last few years, six men from the community have taken such brides.
Mr Coen, a trader, says that they are welcomed in the community.
Neutrality amid strife
"They are good for our future," he says, "because our numbers are increasing."
-----
Of course, these marriages are going to doom Eastern Europe by depopulating it. Do they not have men there?
More at the link above.