For THE RAKE, photographer Amberly Valentine travelled to the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea in 2024 to photograph two figures of the province: the Asaro mudmen and the Nokondi. Papua New Guinea Fixer organised the shoot.
By Marc Dozier · Updated November 2026
A photo story in the Eastern Highlands
The story, published as “Two Tribes” in issue 95 of THE RAKE (August 2024), brings together two images of the Highlands. The Asaro mudmen, from the Asaro valley near Goroka, cover their bodies in clay and wear heavy masks. The Nokondi, a half-human, half-spirit figure, is an emblem of Eastern Highlands Province and appears on its flag.
Papua New Guinea Fixer organised the shoot: contacts with the communities, agreement on what would be photographed, logistics and travel in the province.
What photographers can take from it
- Agree on the images first. Masks, body paint and staging belong to the community. What will be photographed, and how, is discussed before the camera comes out.
- Allow time for preparation. Clay, masks and costumes take time to put on. A portrait session in the Highlands is planned in hours, not minutes.
- Plan for the weather. Mist and rain are part of the Highlands. Build the schedule with spare time around the key images.
The story
| Title | Two Tribes |
| Magazine | THE RAKE, issue 95 (August 2024) |
| Photographer | Amberly Valentine |
| Location | Eastern Highlands Province |
| Our role | Organisation of the shoot |
Planning a photo shoot in Papua New Guinea?
We prepare the meetings with communities, the permits and the logistics.