Group of Asaro "Mudmen" wearing the typical clay mask (Papua New Guinea).
The Asaro people, also known as the "Mudmen", are an indigenous tribe from the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea.
The Asaro are those who wear a traditional costume centered around masks made of mud. The masks, called Holosas (meaning ‘spirit’) are a significant part of their cultural heritage.
According to legend, when a neighbouring tribe once attempted to attack the peaceful Asaro, they fled and hid in the nearby Asaro river. When they eventually emerger, their bodies were covered with white clay and grey mud from the riverbed. Their enemies mistook them for spirits and ran away in confused terror.
The Asaro took advantage of this fear and used it as a tool to avoid battle, covering themselves in mud from the river and creating terrifying masks from clay, stones and other natural materials to ward off their enemies.

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