96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

Leatherworkers and students wearing frightening outfits gathered after they painted themselves using chimney soot during celebrations in Balıkesir, Turkey on Thursday. Legend has it that "Tulutabaklar" painted themselves with ash and wore goatskin or sheepskin to frighten Greek soldiers occupying Balıkesir during the National Struggle period. Every year on September 6, the ritual is performed in celebration of the liberation of the city 96 years ago.

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'

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96 year old Turkish tradition: 'Tulutabaklar'