The Papuan tribe of Korowai, numbering around 3,000 people, resides in the secluded region of Papua New Guinea. Until the 1970s, the Korowai were unaware of the existence of other people on the planet besides themselves.
They excel in hunting, fishing, and are particularly known for their impressive construction skills. The Korowai build their homes at heights of up to 50 meters above the ground!
The tribe is known for actively consuming larvae obtained from the forests for sustenance. While a few decades ago, they did not shy away from consuming human flesh, cannibalism is absent in their practices now. At least that’s what they say 😉
Additionally, the Korowai engage in slash-and-burn agriculture. In their tall structures, natives ascend using tree trunk steps, and they even light fires directly inside their wooden houses.
The Korowai tribe is fascinating and unique, but reaching them is no easy feat. One must fly from Jakarta to Jayapura in Papua New Guinea, obtain necessary permits, load ample provisions onto canoes, and navigate with stops for overnight stays for several days. Then, accompanied by guides and carriers, one must trek for hours each day through jungles and swamps, fending off mosquitoes, to eventually encounter these extraordinary people.