In pictures: Wearing tradition, Thanaka in a Rohingya camp Photogallery

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Swirls of yellow paste made from ground tree bark decorate the cheeks of Rohingya Muslim women and girls in the refugee camps of southern Bangladesh. Thanaka, a type of sun protection that dates back centuries, is a common sight on the faces of the women, who say the use of the traditional cooling paste helps bring a sense of normality to their difficult lives in the camps.

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In pictures: Wearing tradition, Thanaka in a Rohingya camp

A Rohingya refugee girl named Amina poses for a photograph as she wears thanaka paste at Kutupalong camp in Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh, March 30, 2018.

(REUTERS)

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A Rohingya refugee child with thanaka paste is seen in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, July 4, 2018.

(REUTERS)

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A Rohingya refugee girl named Majuma, aged 10, poses for a photograph as she wears thanaka paste at Kutupalong camp in Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh, April 2, 2018.

(REUTERS)

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A Rohingya refugee girl named Sakila Begum, aged 15, poses for a photograph as she wears thanaka paste at Jamtoli camp in Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh, April 1, 2018.

(REUTERS)

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A Rohingya refugee girl named Zannat Ara, aged 9, poses for a photograph as she wears thanaka paste at Kutupalong camp in Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh, April 2, 2018. "I wear make up to keep my face clean and there are some insects that bite my face and this keeps them away, so this protects me." said Zannat.

(REUTERS)

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A Rohingya refugee girl named Rokiya, aged 11, poses for a photograph as she wears thanaka paste at Kutupalong camp in Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh, April 3, 2018. "I'm wearing makeup because I just came from school. I just like it," said Rokiya.

(REUTERS)

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A Rohingya refugee girl named Sufaida, aged 7, poses for a photograph as she wears thanaka paste at Kutupalong camp in Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh, April 2, 2018.

(REUTERS)

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A Rohingya refugee girl poses for a photograph as she wears thanaka paste at Shamlapur camp in Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh, March 27, 2018.

(REUTERS)

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A Rohingya refugee girl named Toyuba, aged 18, poses for a photograph as she wears thanaka paste at Kutupalong camp in Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh, April 3, 2018.

(REUTERS)

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A Rohingya refugee girl named Zannat Ara, aged 10, poses for a photograph as she wears thanaka paste at Balukhali camp in Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh, March 30, 2018.

(REUTERS)