Asaro, also known as Asaro Mudmen and Holosa, is a tribe that lives in the province of Highlands in the eastern part of Papa New Guinea. The total population of Asaro people ranges from 20,000 to 30,000 and they are concentrated in the district of Goroka. The Asaro Mudmen speak the Dano dialect of the Kanaintu-Goroka language and are deprived of the modern facilities of life.
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Origin
There is no authentic account about the origin of Asaro tribe since they are living in Papa New Guinea for centuries but according to historians, the use of masks by the Asaro Mudmen started in early 1800. The members of the tribe felt the use of masks and Bamboo plant’s finger extensions a necessity to terrify the tribes that were involved in widespread raids on each other to take away their women and pigs.
From which material the masks are made?
The masks they wear are usually made of` mud, clay, and pebbles in a combination with bamboo finger extensions to give themselves a fearsome look. The masks have got heavier with time and most of the people wear them only on special occasions now.
Why are they called “Mudmen”?
They are called Mudmen because of a famous legend associated with this tribe. It is said that once a tribe attacked and defeated the Asaro people. They Asaro fled to the riverside, hid in the mud and waited for the dusk to escape from the area. At the dusk, the enemy tribe saw them arising from the mud banks and thought them to be some kind of evil spirits. The tribe terrified by their looks fled in fear and Asaro escaped without any loss. When the Asaro saw their enemy escaping, they approach their village to go back to their homes. When they reached the outskirts of their village, the enemy tribe was still there but in extreme fear. The enemy tribe seeing the evil spirits coming towards them escaped from the village too and performed special ceremonies in its village to ward-off the evil spirits.
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Religion
A vast majority of the Asaro people are the followers of Protestantism in Christianity while some belief in the existence of superhumans who live in caves, forests and other lonely places. These people arrange special ceremonies and give an offering on different occasions to please their superhumans or gods.
Code of conduct
- Simple lifestyle
The Asaro tribe lives a very simple lifestyle. Their shelters are also very simple and mostly made from grass in the rectangular form.
- Joint family system
The Asaro tribe lives in a compact family system. They help each other in every difficult and take part in each other’s ceremonies.
Music
The Asaro people celebrate all special occasions with music and dance. They dance to the tune of music by donning their masks and bamboo finger extensions. One of the typical dances performed by the Asaro tribe is called Sing-sing dance.
Clothes
Traditionally, the Asaro Mudmen do not wear any type of clothes except a layer of leafs or another thing to cover their genitals. They wear Masks and bamboo finger extension as a cultural dress as already discussed.
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Ceremonies
The Asaro Mudmen are always in celebrations mode. One of their special occasions is the wedding season in which they don their masks and dance. According to their traditions, the groom’s family has to pay the bride’s family to take the bride with themselves. This payment can be in the form of any currency, crop, livestock or another gift. From then onwards, the bride has to bear the responsibility of taking care of not only groom but also of groom’s family.
Tribal traits
- Hard working
The Asaro tribe is very hard working and mostly work in their fields to grow different crops to fulfill their daily needs.
- Fearsome look but Friendly
Though from outlook the Asaro tribe look very fearsome yet in their dealings they are very friendly. They even invite people from abroad to enjoy their celebrations and to witness their typical lifestyle.
Food
The Asaro tribe eats very simple food which includes vegetables, milk, meat and other crops normally grown in their area. They cook by using a bamboo shoot or by digging the ground to make it a sort of oven. This ground oven style cooking of food is called “ Mumu”.