We continued our journey along the Highlands Highway to the highlight of the day. Near the Asaro settlement, we left the highway for a side street, heading towards one of the villages of the Asaro Mudmen.
Obviously we had another performance ahead of us – but this one was very different, as we were playing a part in it – us being the enemies of the mudmen.
After we had assembled in the spectator area of the village square (or stage?), we got an introduction to the mud men and the show. In a nutshell: we were to witness, how a mud men village would react on an approaching enemy force – with us being the extras playing that enemy force.
As the square cleared we saw a small advance party approaching – carefully and silently – checking the situation, and shooting the one or other arrow at the one or other nicely positioned enemy. As it dawned on them, that there was a bigger force here (well – there were about 70 of us), they set off to alert the village, by putting up fires.
Then things went quickly, mud men – men covered in mud with their unique head masks – were coming in from all corners – including behind us – in an almost ghost-like way (especially through the smoke of the still burning fires) and were trying, to scare us away. They came rather close, and there were more arrows (not) shot and spikes (not) thrown at those sitting in front. It all had an eerie feeling to it – and I can certainly see, how an enemy (especially one with a belief in ghosts and spirits) would move into retreat.
Well – we did not retreat … and were now seeing the mud men taking off their masks and turning into normal men – and providing good photo opportunities. Also a souvenir market did pop up out of thin air.
The performance was very different from what we had seen so far on the trip – it was very quiet and laid back – there was neither a single word spoken during the performance, nor was there any quick movement. At the same time, this was probably the most powerful (I guess, being part of it helps) and as such one of the most impressive performances of the whole trip.
