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Difference between revisions of "Adat (Chechnya)"
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''Adat'' is not strict in relation to religion. Embedded in the Chechen code of honour (''nokhchalla'') is the notion of the importance of personal freedom, as well as the freedom and independence of others (Johnson 2008<ref>Johnson, H. 2009. ‘Ritual, Strategy, and Deep Culture in the Chechen National Movement’, Critical Studies on Terrorism, 1(3): 321–342.</ref>). As a result, issues surrounding religiosity are left to the individual. Chechen Muslims are allowed to drink alcohol, though women would only do so in private in the company of other women. It is understood that in society some people may be unable to, or have difficulty in praying five times a day; this is seen as an internal struggle for the individual concerned and privacy of individual choice in this matter is preserved. The main exception to this point of view concerns the celebration of Ramadan and the Feast of the Sacrifice. In these instances it is considered that the values these holidays instill exemplify ''adat'' in decrying greed and placing importance on generosity (Layton 2014: 71<ref>Layton, K.S. 2014. Chechens: Culture and Society First. New York: Palgrave Macmillian.</ref>). It is thus imperative that the collective should experience these shared religious and social events together. Even non-believers would avoid announcing that they are not honouring these holidays for fear of being deemed ‘weak in character’ (Layton 2014: 80<ref>Layton, K.S. 2014. Chechens: Culture and Society First. New York: Palgrave Macmillian.</ref>). | ''Adat'' is not strict in relation to religion. Embedded in the Chechen code of honour (''nokhchalla'') is the notion of the importance of personal freedom, as well as the freedom and independence of others (Johnson 2008<ref>Johnson, H. 2009. ‘Ritual, Strategy, and Deep Culture in the Chechen National Movement’, Critical Studies on Terrorism, 1(3): 321–342.</ref>). As a result, issues surrounding religiosity are left to the individual. Chechen Muslims are allowed to drink alcohol, though women would only do so in private in the company of other women. It is understood that in society some people may be unable to, or have difficulty in praying five times a day; this is seen as an internal struggle for the individual concerned and privacy of individual choice in this matter is preserved. The main exception to this point of view concerns the celebration of Ramadan and the Feast of the Sacrifice. In these instances it is considered that the values these holidays instill exemplify ''adat'' in decrying greed and placing importance on generosity (Layton 2014: 71<ref>Layton, K.S. 2014. Chechens: Culture and Society First. New York: Palgrave Macmillian.</ref>). It is thus imperative that the collective should experience these shared religious and social events together. Even non-believers would avoid announcing that they are not honouring these holidays for fear of being deemed ‘weak in character’ (Layton 2014: 80<ref>Layton, K.S. 2014. Chechens: Culture and Society First. New York: Palgrave Macmillian.</ref>). | ||
Hospitality is a key component of ''adat'' | Hospitality is a key component of ''adat''; it is extended not only to friends and family, and to strangers, but also to those who are deemed enemies. Hospitality demands all who seek help or are in need of shelter must be taken in. This sense of honour and duty to others extends to all persons regardless of who they are. All guests are thus treated with the highest respect. This hospitality is extended for as long as the guest is in need; if applicable, enemy status applies once more only once the guest has left the home (Layton 2014: 77<ref>Layton, K.S. 2014. Chechens: Culture and Society First. New York: Palgrave Macmillian.</ref>). | ||
The entrenchment of ''adat'' personal codes naturally transitions into laws governing society, that often conflict with formal Russian laws, rendering them informal. Severe mistrust of Russian rule, and the chaos resulting from political corruption in the region has resulted in the strengthening of ''adat'' laws and councils in an attempt to circumvent Russian federal rule (Malashenko 2014<ref>Malashenko, A. 2014. ‘Islam in Russia’, Russian in Global Affairs, 23 September, | The entrenchment of ''adat'' personal codes naturally transitions into laws governing society, that often conflict with formal Russian laws, rendering them informal. Severe mistrust of Russian rule, and the chaos resulting from political corruption in the region has resulted in the strengthening of ''adat'' laws and councils in an attempt to circumvent Russian federal rule (Malashenko 2014<ref>Malashenko, A. 2014. ‘Islam in Russia’, Russian in Global Affairs, 23 September, | ||