This site is about my friends the Asaro, and specifically the clans at Korekoreto village, and the accommodation and tours they provide at Mt Gurupoka guest house. The Asaro Mudmen come from just outside the town of Goroka in the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea.
Legend has it that they were defeated by an enemy tribe and forced to flee into the Asaro River waiting until dusk before attempting to escape. They rose from the muddy banks covered in clay, and returned to their village not knowing the enemy tribesmen were still there. The enemy were so terrified of their ghost-like appearance they fled in terror. Even today, spirits are not to be messed with in Papua New Guinea.
A rumour spread that they were invested with the powers of the river spirits and cunning elders were keen to perpetuate the idea, so decided to create a new battle dress code.
The mudmen could not cover their faces with clay on their skin because legends say that the people of Papua New Guinea thought that the mud from the Asaro river was poisonous. So instead of covering their faces with this alleged poison, they made masks with scary features, strange ears and fierce eyes, and decorated them with wild pigs' teeth and tusks and fashioned wild grimaces. When they then went on raids to neighbouring villages, they would come in the pre-dawn, appearing out of the mountain mists like ghoulish spirits, the psychological battle already won.
Despite their fearsome appearance and slow spectre-like movements, they are some of the most welcoming friendly people around. Guests are welcomed wholeheartedly to the basic hilltop lodge, and the Asaro are proud and happy to show and explain their dances. It's not just about the masks and the clay though, for celebrations and festivities colourful headdresses and natural face paints are the norm, and older dances are shown and described in mini "Sing-Sings".
Legend has it that they were defeated by an enemy tribe and forced to flee into the Asaro River waiting until dusk before attempting to escape. They rose from the muddy banks covered in clay, and returned to their village not knowing the enemy tribesmen were still there. The enemy were so terrified of their ghost-like appearance they fled in terror. Even today, spirits are not to be messed with in Papua New Guinea.
A rumour spread that they were invested with the powers of the river spirits and cunning elders were keen to perpetuate the idea, so decided to create a new battle dress code.
The mudmen could not cover their faces with clay on their skin because legends say that the people of Papua New Guinea thought that the mud from the Asaro river was poisonous. So instead of covering their faces with this alleged poison, they made masks with scary features, strange ears and fierce eyes, and decorated them with wild pigs' teeth and tusks and fashioned wild grimaces. When they then went on raids to neighbouring villages, they would come in the pre-dawn, appearing out of the mountain mists like ghoulish spirits, the psychological battle already won.
Despite their fearsome appearance and slow spectre-like movements, they are some of the most welcoming friendly people around. Guests are welcomed wholeheartedly to the basic hilltop lodge, and the Asaro are proud and happy to show and explain their dances. It's not just about the masks and the clay though, for celebrations and festivities colourful headdresses and natural face paints are the norm, and older dances are shown and described in mini "Sing-Sings".