Asmat, Papua, Indonesia

Asmat is the region in southwest Papua province in Indonesia. It is also the name of the regency and district where the Asmat people predominate. The Asmat region covers some 1.5 million hectares of which the western half is today inscribed as the Lorentz National Park World Heritage Site.

The Asmat area is a cultural tourist destination. Tourists come here to see the Asmat people who are well known for their tribal attire and woodcarvings. There are some 70,000 Asmat people today. Many still live in tree houses, some as tall as 25 meters from the ground.

The Asmat people continue to maintain their cultural tradition, thanks in part to their isolation from the rest of the world. However with tourism making in-roads, there is also a concern that their culture will face erosion in the immediate future, unless tourism is managed sensibly.

Visiting Asmat

The Asmat region is entered through the town of Timika, which receives flights from Agats, the gateway to the region.

Asmat tribesman

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