Korowai Tribe

Korowai Tribe Latest News

Papua’s Korowai tribe, often labelled ‘cannibals’, is re-examined as myths fade, revealing a misunderstood culture shaped by isolation, conflict, and historical misrepresentation.

About Korowai Tribe

• The Korowai tribe is a group of indigenous people who live in the southeastern part of Papua, Indonesia. 
• According to estimates, there are between 2500 and 4000 indigenous Korowai people.  
• The tribe has unique cultural practices and a unique way of living in treehouses high above the ground. 
• The Korowai people have a deep connection to the forest, which they rely on for their survival. 
• They hunt and gather food from the forest, including wild animals and plants. 
• They are living high up in the trees which they built on the tree trunks. 
  • They build tree houses to protect their homes from floods and wild animals, as well as to keep them safe from rival tribes.  
  • A Korowai treehouse is made of wood and tree bark, plus some bamboo and sago leaves for the roof.
  • The tallest houses can reach a height of 40 metres (130ft).  
  • A treehouse will remain to be used for about 3 years, or till the tree is eaten by termites. 
• The Korowai people were totally disconnected from the outside world until the 1970s.  
• They have been sensationalised in modern media for their association with cannibalism, a practice of eating human flesh.
  • While it is believed that the tribe historically practised cannibalism as part of their spiritual and social beliefs, it has largely faded over time.

Source: N18

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