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BORN SNIPPY

Turkish boys scream as they’re put through agonising circumcision ritual in photo series showing their contorted faces

Photographer Ahmet Izgi recorded the reactions of a number of boys aged around six or seven at a clinic in the capital Ankara

A SERIES of pictures shows the contorted faces of young boys screaming as they undergo ritual circumcision in Turkey.

An adult holds each lad down on a bed as a medic performs the surgery, which traditionally marks the first step to becoming a man.

A series of pictures captures the reactions of young boys being circumcised in Turkey
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A series of pictures captures the reactions of young boys being circumcised in TurkeyCredit: Getty Images
The screaming boys' contorted faces were photographed at a clinic in Ankara
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The screaming boys' contorted faces were photographed at a clinic in AnkaraCredit: Getty Images
An adult holds each boys arms while a licensed practitioner makes the incision
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An adult holds each boys arms while a licensed practitioner makes the incisionCredit: Getty Images
Circumcision is an important religious and traditional custom across Turkey
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Circumcision is an important religious and traditional custom across TurkeyCredit: Getty Images
The procedure is usually carried out when boys are aged between five and 12
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The procedure is usually carried out when boys are aged between five and 12Credit: Getty Images
This youngster clutches a lollipop, which he will have to sooth him after the painful op
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This youngster clutches a lollipop, which he will have to sooth him after the painful opCredit: Getty Images

Photographer Ahmet Izgi recorded the reactions of a number of boys - all aged around six or seven - at a clinic in the capital Ankara.

The sünnet ritual, usually held when boys are aged between five and 12, is an important religious and traditional custom across Turkey.

The name literally means "busy path" and refers to adherence to the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed.

The ritual signals the transition to adulthood and has deep religious significance for followers of Islam.

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Some families throw huge parties with food and music to celebrate the occasion in homes, restaurants or banqueting halls.

Feasts can last several days as relatives gather and give the boy gifts such as money, sweets and clothes.

In grander ceremonies the boys dress up in silk Ottoman costumes and parade around the town on horseback.

Many families throw a huge party for family and neighbours to celebrate the child's rite of passage
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Many families throw a huge party for family and neighbours to celebrate the child's rite of passageCredit: Getty Images
Feasts for the traditional sunnet ritual can last days, especially in more traditional areas of Anatolia
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Feasts for the traditional sunnet ritual can last days, especially in more traditional areas of AnatoliaCredit: Getty Images
The religious custom signals the boy's first step to adulthood
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The religious custom signals the boy's first step to adulthoodCredit: Getty Images
Verses from the Koran are often recited during the procedure
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Verses from the Koran are often recited during the procedureCredit: Getty Images
Family members gather close round the bed to watch the procedure being done
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Family members gather close round the bed to watch the procedure being doneCredit: Getty Images
Virtually all boys in Turkey are circumcised and is expected of all Muslim men
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Virtually all boys in Turkey are circumcised and is expected of all Muslim menCredit: Getty Images
In Turkey it is traditionally done when boys are of primary school age, before puberty
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In Turkey it is traditionally done when boys are of primary school age, before pubertyCredit: Getty Images
More recently some parents in cities are opting to have sons circumcised at birth to avoid fear and pain at a later age
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More recently some parents in cities are opting to have sons circumcised at birth to avoid fear and pain at a later ageCredit: Getty Images
The operation leaves the children in tears but it lasts only a few seconds
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The operation leaves the children in tears but it lasts only a few secondsCredit: Getty Images

Istanbul has a huge "Palace of Circumcision" where wedding-style banquets are thrown with clowns hired to entertain groups of boys who are circumcised together on the same day.

When it is time for the procedure itself - which lasts a few seconds - family members gather close round the bed to watch.

A close friend or family member called a kirve - similar to a godparent in the Christian tradition - will hold the lad's arms while a licensed practitioner makes the incision.

As in other Islamic nations, Turkish men who are not circumcised are often made to feel ashamed or dirty and virtually all boys have it done.

But in some areas the traditional sünnet ceremonies are dying out as parents opt to have sons circumcised in hospital at birth to prevent pain and fear when they are older.

Today we told how a British mum was horrified to find her baby son had been circumcised against her will while he was staying with his grandparents in Nottinghamshire.

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