When it comes to the tribes at the Mount Hagen festival they are all legitimately very good, but much like anything in the world some are definitively better than others.
So, with that in mind and with intense research on my part I have put forward my 5 best tribes at the Mount Hagen festival that you simply have to see. How have I defined the best? Well an overall mixture of look, toughness and a wee bit of approachability.
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5 Best Tribes at the Mount Hagen Festival
So, as always we will be starting at the end and finishing at the best, so 5-1 fashion, as is my style. So, 5 best tribes at the Mount Hagen Festival!
5) Simbu Skeleton Tribe
The Skeleton Tribe is a weird and fascinating sight. Covered in white paint to look like bones, these guys turn heads the moment they hit the showgrounds. Their dances are intense, and the way they throw themselves around makes you realise these are people used to physical life in the Highlands. They are not just for show though. Behind the paint there are serious men and women who are connected to their ancestral spirits. They were not officially at the 2025 show, but I did get a chance to see them later, and their energy and stage presence is unforgettable. If you get a chance to see them, do not walk past. The Skeleton Tribe mixes fear and fascination in a way that only Highland culture can manage.
4) Melpa Tribe
Ah, the Melpa. My personal favourite and frankly, “my” tribe when I am out in the Western Highlands. These are the locals from Mount Hagen itself and their performance is a masterclass in Highland showmanship. The body paint, the feathers, the colourful headgear, all of it hits like a punch of cultural authenticity. The Melpa are known for their dancing, for telling stories with their movements, and for being approachable when you actually want to chat with them off the dance floor. They are tough, they are lively, and there is something about seeing them that feels like watching a piece of the Highlands alive. If you are serious about this festival, the Melpa are essential viewing.
3) Simbu Ghost Dancers
The Ghost Dancers are a visual treat, even if their reputation sometimes makes newcomers think twice. Their costumes are elaborate, their faces painted in ways that suggest spirits and ancestors watching from another world. The dances are hypnotic, almost otherworldly, with twirling, jumping, and foot stamping that makes the ground vibrate. They are disciplined performers, with each movement steeped in meaning and tradition. Even if you cannot understand the stories they are telling, the power of their performance speaks for itself. Seeing the Ghost Dancers is like being taken back hundreds of years into the Highlands’ spiritual life.
2) Huli Wigmen
If toughness is what you are after, you do not get tougher than the Huli Wigmen. These guys are warriors and showmen rolled into one, wearing their famous wigs made from human hair and decorated with birds of paradise feathers. They have a presence that makes you respect them immediately, and their dances are fast, aggressive, and utterly hypnotic. The Huli have been doing this for generations, and the traditions run deep. They are tough to approach if you do not know what you are doing, but once you are in, they are respectful, fun, and willing to show off the intricate skills that have made them legendary. Watching the Huli Wigmen is one of those moments that sticks with you for years.
1) Asaro Mudmen Tribe
The Mudmen are the ultimate showstopper. Covered head to toe in grey mud, wearing haunting clay masks, they are at once terrifying and fascinating. Their origin story is brutal and legendary. Centuries ago, the Asaro were driven from their village and returned wearing mud to scare enemies. Over time this became ritual, and now it is performance. Bloodletting is still part of some of their ceremonies, which tells you these are not soft men and women. Despite the fearsome look, they are shockingly friendly off the stage. They will laugh with you, pose for photos, and tell stories of their lives in the Highlands. Seeing the Mudmen perform is seeing a perfect mix of toughness, history, and sheer spectacle. They are clever, intimidating, and unforgettable. If you only see one tribe at the Mount Hagen Festival, make it the Asaro Mudmen.
And they are the best tribes at the Mount Hagen festival, at least in my humble opinion!
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