Victory Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ made a remarkable post on his social media account. Özdağ, who published a video shot on Istiklal Street, claimed that there was an Afghan man dancing in the footage.
“NOT FROM THE DANCES WE KNOW”
Özdağ wrote the following statements on his post: “An Afghan man is dancing on Istiklal Street in Istanbul, Taksim. However, this dance is not one of the dances we know… The tradition of ‘Bacha Bazi’, where boys are abused and dance and entertain other men, has reached Turkey. Not only our women, but also our boys are in danger!”
MEN’S NIGHTMARE
After this sharing, the meaning of “Bacha Bazi” and its history were wondered. Bacha Bazi literally means “boy” and “game”. This situation, which is an Afghan tradition, begins with the sale of boys to the rich at a young age. Dressed in women’s clothes, these children are made to dance at dinner or in some special programs. These children, who are also put on make-up, are made to serve the people who are detaining them, with anklets with bells on their feet.
THEY ARE MARRIED TO OLD AND WIDOWS
This tradition, which dates back to ancient times, is called the nightmare of boys in the lands it rules. Children who are abused and removed from their selves are married to the old and widowed women around them when they grow up.
PROHIBITED BY AFGAN LAW
“Bacha Bazi” is illegal under modern Afghan law. However, it is known that there are still people who continue this tradition in the northern and rural regions of the country. Abuse continues behind closed and secret doors due to the ban.