Asaro Mudmen: The tribe who wear headdresses made of pig's teeth and shells
The 'mudmen' of Papua New Guinea's Asaro tribe, also known asn the Holosa are those who wear masks made of mud
They live nearby the village of Goroka in the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea.
The Asaro tribe is believed to have been defeated by an enemy tribe and forced to flee into the Asaro River where they met a man who gave them eyes to kill.
While many tribal people use smeared mud to go to war, the Asaro tribe wears it to avoid battle.
Their prowess as warriors has always been inflated, and although literature and legend have ascribed them special martial powers, their only real advantage in a battle is their fiercely scary appearance
The community is divided into several tribes and numerous clans living either side of the river, many of which are still living in a traditional way. The dialect of the tribes can differ significantly due to their isolated habitats
The Asaro tribe speaks the Dano dialect, which is part of the Kainantu-Goruka language family occurring only in a small part of Papua New Guinea.
The Asaro continue to create and wear these masks to this day, often using them in ceremonies and festivals. Each mask is unique and springs from the imagination of its creator
The Asaro people celebrate their cultural heritage through Sing Sing ceremonies, a prominent feature of traditional life among many indigenous communities in Papua New Guinea