Dancing Boys? Story Behind: Bacha Bazi

Dancing Boys? Story Behind: Bacha Bazi

There are approximately 7 million humans in slavery today, which is greater than at any other point in the world. A form of modern day slavery is “Bacha Bazi”—translated to “playing boys”. Bacha Bazi is child prostitution (mainly in Afghanistan) in which young boys is given away by their families to wealthy and powerful men. These men, or former warlords, lure these vulnerable children in with the promises of money for their poor families. They force them to dance and engage in sexual activity. Bacha Bazi is a horrible practice of tradition because it is morally wrong, the authorities refuse to take action, and diseases/sicknesses are spread very easily.

Firstly, the practice of Bacha Bazi is morally wrong because it affects the young boys mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. While these boys are being forced to dance and engage in sexual activities with these older men, they are beginning to suffer mentally. This “practice” will ruin their lives and scar them; they won’t forget about it. Spiritually, they will believe that doing this is alright and is not looked down upon in their country. They will continue this tradition and hurt more poor, as well as vulnerable, boys. The Bacha Bazi boys are being emotionally scarred. They won’t be able to have normal relationships with women in the future. Since women do not have any rights in Afghanistan, these boys will grow into men and not show interest in the women. The Bacha Bazi boys are not only being physically abused, but they are also suffering from other types of abuse.

Secondly, Afghan authorities are reluctant to stop Bacha Bazi because they go to the parties themselves, some may be owners, or they may accept bribes from the owners. The Afghan authorities will go to the parties their selves. The Bacha Bazi boys’ owners will call the authorities for “security”. They will go to the parties to watch the “Dancing Boys”. After the party is over, they engage in sexual activity with the young boys. Some authorities are Bacha Bazi owners. They will use them for more power upon the other men (as a higher status). The men will take them home as their “personal” boys. Authorities will use bribes from owners for the boys. Afghan police will take these as trades for “time” with these boys. Also, the owners, or warlords, will bribe the authorities to say nothing about their practice with Bacha Bazi. Afghan authorities do not think that the practice of Bacha Bazi is not a big issue, and they refuse to take action.

Lastly, the practice of Bacha Bazi can spread diseases/sicknesses through sexual contact, the boys all living together, and by the strange men going to the parties. Sexual contact between the boys and men is a major cause of disease in the Bacha Bazi boys. Since all of the boys live together in one area, sicknesses are spread around much easier. One boy may be picked up by a warlord and might be sick. So when he arrives to the house in which the other boys stay, he spreads his sickness. Diseases/sicknesses can be accumulated from all of the strange men coming and going to the Bacha Bazi parties. They might be sick or have a disease and touch the boys. Many sicknesses, diseases, infections, etc. can happen through Bacha Bazi.

In conclusion, Bacha Bazi is child prostitution and slavery. These young boys are taken from their childhood and are forced into training to dance like women, and engage in sexual activity for men. This horrible practice is ruining tons of children’s lives because: it’s morally wrong, the authorities refuse to take action, and diseases/sicknesses are spread easily amongst the young boys. Thank you for taking the time to read my paper.