The Asmat Papua Tribe is the most well known tribe in West Papua. They have inhabited the swampy mangrove forests along the south coast of Papua for thousands of years. There are two groups of Asmat, those groups living in coastal areas and those living in the hinterland. The two groups are different in dialect, way of living, ritual ceremonies and social structure. The asmat tribe were once well known as fierce warriors in the past. Local people believe that the death of a tribe fellow, even from illness was cause by an enemy. One way of avenged to it by taking the enemy’s head, that is now diminished in the modern world.
The Otherworldly Art
However, through their gruesome aspect of their culture, they have also created some of the finest wood sculptures around the world. Among the world’s famous primitive arts, Asmat’s wood-carved masterpieces are most coveted by art collectors around the world. For the Asmat Tribe, their woodcarving is intimately link together with the spirit world. Many of this tribe’s original wood art is symbolic of warfare, headhunting, and of the veneration of warriors or ancestors. For many generations the Asmat have engrossed with the need to appease their ancestral spirits and so they created their shields, canoes, sculpted figures, and drums with exotic and intricate art. Many of these arts are masterpieces that are still being display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
In this era, wood carving continues to flourish as a tradition among the fellows of the tribe. They also recognize wood as a source of life. The statues made by them are typically commemorative of certain individuals who have passed on, although they are not direct representations of them. You can get an amazing experience by joining the art festival in Asmat Papua. This tribe celebrates its art tradition every year together with a cultural festival. They gather all the villages for the art exhibition. They enthusiastically show off their skills on weaving, traditional dances, boating, and musical performances.
Visiting the Asmat Papua?
The Regency of Asmat is a habitat of crocodiles, freshwater dolphins, gray nurse sharks, among others. To see the magical trove of culture here, you need to have to charter a yacht. These days there are a number of liveaboards offering visits to this place, like “Hello Papua”. Visiting this regency during your Papua cruise is also a great opportunity to engage yourself with the famous Asmat Tribe.
Read More:
Why Diving Cruise Indonesia Should be Part of Your Trip?