The tidy colonial highland town of Goroka (pop. 25,000) has a long history of miners, missionaries, and plantation owners, but the area is most famous for its "mudmen." Although traditional dress is less commonly worn nowadays, the Asaro tribe is

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The tidy colonial highland town of Goroka (pop. 25,000) has a long history of miners, missionaries, and plantation owners, but the area is most famous for its "mudmen." Although traditional dress is less commonly worn nowadays, the Asaro tribe is justifiably proud of its mudmen warriors. The mud-packed costuming is based on a legend that when some warriors arose from the gray muddy banks, their enemy thought they were spirits and fled in horror. The annual "Goroka Show" festival in September is the best time to visit since everyone dances in their tribal finery, but the Asaro don their mud costumes for organized tours anytime of year.

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