What a first impression cross to my mind when see or heard Asmat was "wood carving". But many foreigners scares to the toes to hear words Asmat, since the son of New York governor disappeared in the territory of Asmat tribe, well known as a cannibal tribe on Papua.
Asmat tribes was ethnic group of New Guinea residing in Papua island bordered to New Guinea Republic in the west part of the Papua island. They posses a well known skill in wood crafting in the Pacific and collectors worldwide love this special art.
Total population of this tribe approximately 70.000 residing in southwest part bordering Arafura sea. The term of "Asmat" refer to both people and place they inhabited.
The tribes little bit different from other tribes of Indonesian. Their body taller, skin darker, curling hair near to African peoples, similar with new guinea ethnic.
Due to the isolated area, they lived in stone era, their life mainly depend on rich Natural resources, sago for the main menu, cathing fish on the rivers, and other items gather from the forest and waters. Not necessary buy something, using money.
In order to their convenience, avoiding floods, insects, snakes, reptiles and scary animals some of the Asmats prefer lived in the heights on the trees overhead far from ground. High above the forest floor in the jungle, one of the last remote corners of the globe. This dwelling offer an escape from the heat and insects biting.
Appreciation to Catholic church that spend a long time effort to persuade the tribe to leave cannibalism way of life. Recently the visitors had the chance to visit and meet the tribe safe and sound.
Previously Asmat famous cannibalism tribe on Papua. They used to put the skulls under their head as a pillow. Besides, they just not only head hunters, but also "hunter for names" of someone deceased or after a killed enemy.
Fortunately the evil reputation of Asmat has became history. The missionaries have done a lot of work to change this.
This tribes had a special skill in woodcraft that hadn't found in another island, their crafts had their own characteristic. In many occasions they saw their ability, how to crafted the woods directly on the exhibition. Asmat art mostly in wood carving was designed to honor their ancestor. Asmat wood carfting considered one among the world's finest. to the Asmat, woodcarving was connected with the spirit world not just aesthetic objects.
Many Asmat artcrafts have been collected by world's museum in Metropolitan museum of art, New York city and the Tropenmuseum in Amsterdam. These artcrafts probably influenced modernist and surrealist artist such as Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagal.
In 1973 catholic church established Asmat museum of Culture and progress in local town of Agast in facilitating the revitalization of wood carving, to maintain local pride in Asmat culture traditions. Each year in October, the church sponsor the wood carving competition and auction to recognize outstanding carvers.
In the year 2000, the Asmat formed civil society organization LMAA (Lembaga Musyawarah Adat Asmat) represents and developed their aspiration. In 2004, the Asmat region became a separated Governmental administrative unit district or Kabupaten.
You may find Travel agents with Adventure trip a weeks, spend 5 nights in the local villager's house with basic facilities and simple way of life, joint Asmat people daily activities. Fly to Jayapura, capital of West Papua and transferred to Timika airport, the nearest airport to Agats, capital of Asmat district. Convert your $ in Jakarta or Bali island before forward flying to Papua island.
