Bacha Bazi is a form of pedophilia prevalent in central Asia. The festival is hundreds of years old, and revives an ancient tradition that exploits young boys. Deeply rooted in Afghanistan’s tribal culture where women are taboo and must remain hidden, Bacha Bazi is sometimes used to draw young boys into dancing and play acting before proceeding into other more sinister performances of a sexual nature.
“I started dancing at wedding parties when I was 10, when my father died,” says Omin in an interview with the BBC. “We were hungry, I had no choice. Sometimes we would go to bed on empty stomachs. When I dance at parties I earn about $2 or some pilaf rice.”