What people often call the "skeleton tribe" isn't a separate tribe at all, but a visual tradition practiced by groups in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, especially the Chimbu people (also known as Simbu).
These communities live in mountainous regions of the country's interior and have a long history of body painting as part of ritual, performance, and identity. Among the most recognizable forms is their skeleton body paint, where men cover themselves in black and white clay to resemble human bones.
The skeletal imagery was used as a form of psychological warfare, designed to intimidate enemies by making warriors appear less human and more like spirits or supernatural beings.
There are also origin stories tied to the tradition. One widely shared legend describes a group of villagers who entered a cave filled with human remains and a dangerous spirit. To survive, they painted their bodies like skeletons to blend in and escape unnoticed.
