Papua New Guinea- highlands – Goroka – Mudmen tribe
The mud men tribe in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. We are grateful, that we were allowed to visit the tribe in their village. It’s a genuine experience. The tribe lives in these villages. Sharing their culture and traditions with us is their way of scaring neighbours and enemies away when these wanted to take their land. It was mostly land, they fought about.
Rowa Robin introduced us to the clay, masques, the economy, wthe roles of men and women, the food, …
Imagine the moment of tension, where Rowa told that only men can wear the mud masques … where I changed from open, curious and smiling to empowered leader in an instant and in a low voice said, that angers and provokes me so much. I had an series of experiences behind me where male travelers can ex drum in Burundi, whereas I have to stand behind the drum and smile. Not to mention the similar situations as a business leade. Rowa turned out to be both truly intelligent and emphatic, and decided I was leader of the family and could wear it, so I ended up trying it twice. Men and Nicolai. Not the young women.
6 kg clay is not for fighting, but great for scaring people with their ancestors arriving at night haunting them. Historically, it has been the strongest warriers to wear the masques, while the younger and older would just be covered in mud and still look like ghosts or spirits arriving at night to protect their land or get more.
