Introduction

The Asaro Mudmen Tribe are people that live just outside the village of Goroka in the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea.
A legend there tells that these "mudmen, were defeated by an enemy tribe and had no other choice than than to flee and escape into the Asaro River. Once it was dusk, the Asaro mudmen attempted and escape. The enemy however saw them rise up, covered in mud and thought that they were spirits. Thankfully mostly all tribes are fearful of these "spirits", including the enemy tribe who in turn fled, giving the Mudmen their easy conquer. Heading back into the village, still caked in mud the mudmen felt victorious although... The enemy had fled back to their village! At seeing the thought-to-be spirits, for a final time the enemy fled. For ceremonies now-days instead of covering their faces with the poisonous mud, the Asaro Mudmen make masks  with frightening faces to thank and honour the spirits.