KOROWAI People

The Korowai are an indigenous people living in the rainforests of southeastern Papua, Indonesia (Western New Guinea). They are world-famous for being one of the few groups that build and inhabit high-altitude treehouses.

Architecture: The Treehouses

The most distinctive trait of the Korowai is their ability to build homes situated between 10 and 35 meters (30 to 115 feet) above the ground.
Reasons: Traditionally, they were built to protect against mosquitoes (and malaria), wild animals, floods, and rival clans or "evil spirits" believed to roam the forest floor at night.
Construction: They use banyan wood, lianas, and sago palm leaves. A single house can accommodate an entire family and their domestic animals.

Lifestyle and Diet

Hunter-Gatherers: Their diet is primarily based on sago (starch extracted from the sago palm trunk). They also hunt wild boar and birds, and fish in the rivers.
Sago Larvae: These are considered a delicacy and an essential source of protein. They often hold festivals centered around the harvest of these larvae.
Tools: Until the late 20th century, they used stone and bone tools almost exclusively.

Beliefs and the "Khakhua" Myth

The Korowai have a rich cosmology where the spiritual world is ever-present.
Khakhua: Historically, they believed that unexplained deaths (from diseases like tuberculosis or malaria) were caused by a khakhua, a witch-demon that ate the person from the inside.
Ritual Cannibalism: It has been documented that in the past, they practiced ritual cannibalism exclusively against those considered khakhua as a form of spiritual justice. Today, this practice is considered extinct.

Extended info about Korowai People