Asaro mud men
Location: Goroka, Papua New Guinea
The men who cover themselves in mud do not want to look perfect. They apply it because they think it will make them appear like spirits, which scares the other indigenous tribes. They are one of the many groups that have been scattered across the highland plateau over millennia. Isolated by harsh terrain, they were only discovered 75 years ago.
Future Outlook: The tribe’s success as a tourist destination has increased its potential as a symbol of the nation.