The Korowai tribe, often nicknamed the tree people, is one of the indigenous tribes of Papua that has a unique lifestyle that has caught the attention of the world, namely their unique habit of building tree houses towering above the tropical rainforest, far from the reach of modern humans.
The Korowai tribe is one of Indonesia’s cultural treasures that should be preserved. Their unique life in harmony with nature provides inspiration to appreciate cultural and environmental diversity.
Quoted from a number of sources, Thursday (25/7/2024) mentioned, the most prominent characteristic of the Korowai tribe is that their houses are built on very tall trees, which can reach tens of metres. The reasons why they choose to live on trees vary, from avoiding attacks from wild animals such as snakes to the belief that evil spirits live on the ground.
Korowai tree houses are built using natural materials that are easily found around the forest, such as wood, rattan and sago leaves. They have extraordinary skills in building sturdy and stable constructions on trees.
In addition to avoiding danger and evil spirits, building houses on trees also makes it easier for them to find food such as fruits and small animals.
The Korowai tribe is a community of hunters and gatherers. They depend on the forest to fulfil their daily needs. Hunting and gathering activities are carried out by men, while women are responsible for domestic work and childcare.
The staple food of the Korowai tribe is sago, which is processed into various types of food. In addition to sago, they also consume game such as wild boar, tree kangaroos and various types of birds.
The Korowai adhere to animism and dynamism. They believe that the spirits of their ancestors and nature have great power and influence their lives. Traditional rituals are often performed to ask for blessings and protection from these spirits.
Contact with the outside world brought significant changes to the lives of the Korowai. Modernisation threatens the preservation of their culture and traditions.
Several efforts have been made to preserve Korowai culture, such as sustainable tourism development and education for the younger generation. The biggest challenge, however, is how to balance cultural preservation with the fulfilment of the Korowai people’s basic needs.
The Korowai tribe’s skill in building tree houses is a testament to human adaptation to extreme environments.
They have an excellent knowledge of the tropical rainforest, including the types of medicinal plants, animals and other food sources, as well as having a strong social system based on kinship and working together for a common purpose.
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