Papua New Guinea

The Huli

The Huli are the most feared tribes in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea their home for thousands of years. With their striking red and ochre body paint, the traditional attire of the Huli people is the one of the most colorful in the country. The symbol of the birds of paradise. Alongside the body paint, the real show-stopper features of Huli traditional costumes are their wigs. They’re so important in Huli culture that male members of the tribe are also known as “Wigmen.” The Huli obsession with wigs is related to their unique initiation rites. At the age of 14 or 15, Huli boys leave their families and are sent to live iand learn their role in society.For up to 3 years they receive instruction on the biological and ritual process of masculinity.

There are no Huli “chiefs” in the hereditary sense, all leaders come to power through their ability at war, skill in mediating disputes and by amassing wealth in pigs and shells. Warfare never ends within the Huli culture as vengeance is preferred to any peaceful settlement.

The Hull believe that the spirit is responsible for all dreams and leaves the person after death, ancestors are the clan spirit

The Mud men

The Asaro Tribe, or better known as the Asaro Mudmen of Papua New Guinea, are a unique group of people with unique practices. 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. The practice is not just about the masks and the clay though, for celebrations and festivities colorful headdresses and natural face paints are the norm, and older dances are shown and described in mini “Sing-Sings”. The Asaro can be found in the heart of the Eastern Highlands. On its South Eastern side, near the Daulo pass, Asaro river flows and forms a small valley between the very steep peaks covered by dense jungle.