The Dark Secret Of Afghanistan's Dancing Boys

In Afghanistan, the term dancing boy refers to the practice of bacha bazi, which involves men buying and keeping adolescent boys for entertainment and sexual purposes. The boys, who are often dressed in women's clothing, are made to perform at private parties for groups of men. This practice, which has been documented in films and news articles, is considered a form of sexual slavery and child prostitution. It is illegal under Afghan law but continues to persist, with powerful and wealthy men keeping boys as status symbols. The issue of dancing boys in Afghanistan highlights the sexual abuse and exploitation of vulnerable children, with efforts to eradicate the practice facing challenges due to a weak justice system and influential individuals involved.

Dancing boys are often victims of sexual abuse and child prostitution

Dancing boys in Afghanistan, known as "bacha bazi" in Persian, are young boys forced to perform sexual favours for older men. The practice, which has been around for centuries, involves boys as young as 10 being dressed up as girls and made to dance for entertainment at private parties. They are often subjected to sexual abuse and child prostitution, with long-lasting psychological effects.

The boys, usually from poor families, are targeted by powerful men who exploit them for their gratification. The boys are passed around among these men and are unable to escape due to fear of violence or death. The practice is illegal and considered a grave violation of human rights, but it persists due to a lack of enforcement and the influence of the perpetrators, who are often wealthy and well-connected.

The boys are typically released when they reach adolescence, but the trauma they have endured makes it difficult for them to reintegrate into society. They face social stigma and struggle to rebuild their lives, often turning to drugs or alcohol to cope. The impact of bacha bazi is devastating, and the cycle of abuse is perpetuated as today's victims become tomorrow's perpetrators.

Efforts have been made to eradicate bacha bazi, with international organisations exposing the issue and revisions to Afghanistan's criminal code to criminalise the practice. However, the deep cultural roots of the tradition, coupled with a corrupt and ineffective justice system, have hindered its elimination.

The consequences of bacha bazi are far-reaching, affecting not only the victims but also their families and the wider society. It perpetuates gender inequality and reinforces traditional gender norms that oppress women. It is a complex issue that demands attention and concerted efforts to address the underlying causes and protect vulnerable children.

The practice of bacha bazi is considered a status symbol for men

The practice of bacha bazi, or "boy play", is a form of sexual slavery and child prostitution in which prepubescent and adolescent boys are sold to wealthy or powerful men for entertainment and sexual activities. The boys, known as "dancing boys", are often dressed in women's clothing and made to perform feminine gestures and acts. The men who buy these boys, known as bacha baz, often do so to display their riches and social status.

The boys are usually orphans or from very poor families, and they are often lured from the streets with the promise of a better life. Once purchased, they are forced to perform sexual acts and dance for their owners and at parties, where they are sometimes sold to the highest bidder. The boys are typically released when they come of age, but the stigma of having been a bacha bazi is hard to overcome, and they often struggle to return to normal life.

The tradition of bacha bazi was banned by the Taliban when they rose to power in the early 1990s due to their aversion to pedophilia. However, the practice has since resurged, particularly in the north of the country, where former commanders in the Northern Alliance are working to resurrect it. Despite being outlawed in Afghanistan as a violation of both sharia law and the civil code, there is little enforcement, and the practice continues to thrive.

The boys are usually orphans or from poor families

The boys who are forced to participate in the practice of bacha bazi are usually orphans or from poor families. They are often picked out at a young age by men who cruise the streets looking for effeminate boys among the poor and vulnerable. These men offer the boys money and food, and the boys, who are already hungry and desperate, are powerless to refuse.

Omid, a 15-year-old boy from northern Afghanistan, started dancing at wedding parties when he was 10, after his father died. As the eldest son, it was his job to look after his mother and two younger brothers, so he danced to earn money for food. He said: "We were hungry, I had no choice. Sometimes we go to bed on empty stomachs. When I dance at parties I earn about $2 or some pilau rice."

The boys are often rejected by their families, leaving them with no choice but to go and stay with the men who have targeted them. Mustafa, a 16-year-old boy from Kabul, was attacked by a mechanic in his town. His family rejected him, and he had no choice but to go and live with the man who had attacked him. He then ended up with another man, who taught him how to dance.

The boys are usually released from their role as dancing boys at the age of 19, when they can get married and reclaim their status as "male". However, the stigma of having lived as a bacha bazi is hard to overcome, and the boys rarely succeed in leading a "masculine" lifestyle due to the prejudice of traditional religious society. They are also often shunned by their families and friends, and so have no chance of returning to a normal life.

Dancing boys are dressed in women's clothing

In Afghanistan, women are forbidden from dancing in public, but boys are allowed to dance in women's clothing. This practice is called bacha bazi, which translates to ""boy for play" or "playing with boys". The boys, who are often dressed in long skirts, shirts, and bells, are usually orphans or from poor families and are sexually abused by wealthy and powerful men.

The tradition of bacha bazi is centuries old and was banned under Taliban rule. However, it has crept back and is now widespread, especially in the north of the country. The boys, known as ""dancing boys", are often sold to wealthy or powerful men for entertainment and sexual activities. They are typically released at the age of 19 when they can reclaim their status as "male", although the stigma of having lived as a bacha bazi is hard to overcome.

The boys are usually dressed in flowing shirts, long skirts, and pants, with small silver bells fastened to their hands and feet. Their faces are often covered by a red scarf, which they sometimes remove during their performance. The boys are often abused and kept in a form of sexual slavery by their "owners" or "masters", who can be single or married men.

The practice of bacha bazi is illegal under Afghan law, but it is still widely practiced. The Afghan authorities and human rights groups are aware of the issue but seem powerless to stop it. The boys are usually selected because they are poor and vulnerable, and their families need the money. Once the boys are acquired by their new "masters", they are dressed in women's clothing and trained to sing and dance for the entertainment of these men and their friends.

The men who engage in bacha bazi often view it as a hobby or a form of entertainment and do not believe they are doing anything wrong. However, the practice is considered sexual slavery and child prostitution, and it is condemned by religious scholars and human rights activists. Despite the efforts of some government officials and police authorities to clamp down on the tradition, it persists due to the influence and power of the men involved.

The practice is illegal under Afghan law

The practice of bacha bazi, or "boy play", is illegal under Afghan law. This law was established during the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan period, and the practice was also banned under the Taliban regime, which imposed a strict form of Sharia law.

However, despite the illegality of the practice, it has continued to persist and even thrive in Afghanistan. The laws prohibiting bacha bazi are seldom enforced, and police have been complicit in related crimes. Powerful men who engage in bacha bazi often go unpunished due to their wealth and influence.

In 2018, Afghanistan's revised penal code criminalized the practice of bacha bazi, and the Child Protection Law, which prohibits the tradition, was also passed. However, the complex and diverse legal system in Afghanistan, which includes statutory, customary, and religious frameworks, has made it challenging to eradicate the practice.

The Afghan government's inability or unwillingness to tackle bacha bazi is partly due to the influence of powerful warlords and businessmen who engage in the practice. Additionally, cultural and traditional norms, as well as a lack of public condemnation, have contributed to the persistence of bacha bazi.

International efforts to address bacha bazi have included a 2011 agreement between the United Nations and Afghanistan, which included a commitment to end the practice. However, the issue remains prevalent, and there have been calls for a more comprehensive approach that involves modernizing Afghanistan's rule of law system and addressing the power dynamics that enable the abuse to continue.

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