A ‘bacha bereesh’ is a boy without a beard, and in several circles a beardless boy is most desired by rich, powerful male patrons. Grown men become involved in ‘bacha bazi’— which literally translates into ‘boy-play’. This is a time-honored tradition, condemned by human rights activists and Muslim clerics, but it is seeing a revival in the north province of Afghanistan. It is by no means restricted to the north of Afghanistan only, but has virtually faded in the south, where the Taliban’s strict moral code act as a deterrent.

The bacha bereesh, between the ages of 14 to 18 (though 14 seems to be the preferred age), are dressed in special women’s clothing, with bells tied to their feet, and paraded out to dance at parties and weddings. In general, the practice of men dancing at parties is relatively common in Afghanistan, where the sexes are strictly segregated and women unallowed to partake in such activity. However, in Baghlan, the former warlords and mujahideen commanders are resurrecting bacha bazi, and holding dance competitions between the boys. (Digital Journal)
Abitudine diffusa tra i ricchi signori della guerra del Nord dell’Afghanistan, si tratta di ragazzi tra i 14 e i 18 anni, ragazzi a disposizione dei desideri dei padroni, che vengono fatti vestire da donna e si esibiscono in danze. Più sono bravi più aumenta il prestigio del loro padrone. Questi party sono severamente vietati alle donne.

Un’antica usanza, che vede le donne sostituite dagli uomini nella danza, che pare stia riprendendo piede in Aghanistan e che riguarda una vera e propria riduzione in schiavitù ai fini della prostituzione.