Frontline Season 28 Episode 7
The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan
In Afghanistan today, in the midst of war and endemic poverty, an ancient tradition ? banned when the Taliban were in power ? has re-emerged across the country. It?s called Bacha Bazi, translated literally as ?boy play.? Hundreds of boys, some as young as 11, street orphans or boys bought from poor families by former warlords and powerful businessmen, are dressed in women?s clothes, taught to sing and dance for the entertainment of male audiences and then sold to the highest bidder or traded among the men for sex. With remarkable access inside a Bacha Bazi ring operating in northern Afghanistan, Afghan journalist Najibullah Quraishi investigates this practice, still illegal under Afghan law, talking with the boys, their families and their masters, exposing the sexual abuse and even murders of the boys, and documenting how Afghan authorities responsible for stopping these crimes are sometimes themselves complicit in the practice.
- 28 - 15Facing DeathNov. 23, 2010
- 28 - 14The ConfessionsNov. 09, 2010
- 28 - 13The SpillOct. 26, 2010
- 28 - 12Death by FireOct. 19, 2010
- 28 - 11Law & DisorderAug. 25, 2010
- 28 - 10The Wounded PlatoonMay. 18, 2010
- 28 - 9College, Inc.May. 04, 2010
- 28 - 8The Vaccine WarApr. 27, 2010
- 28 - 7The Dancing Boys of AfghanistanApr. 20, 2010
- 28 - 6Obama's DealApr. 13, 2010
- 28 - 5The QuakeMar. 30, 2010
- 28 - 4The Suicide TouristMar. 02, 2010
- 28 - 3Death by FireOct. 19, 2010
- 28 - 2The Vaccine WarApr. 27, 2010
- 28 - 1Digital NationFeb. 02, 2010