Geography and Habitat

Asmat is located in the Province of Irian Jaya which is the western half of the island of New Guinea, the second largest island in the world. New Guinea is situated just below the equator in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, 93 miles (150 kilometers) north of Australia. The entire island covers an area about 310,000 square miles (800,000 square kilometers).

The tropical climate has high daily temperatures and humidity. Daily temperatures vary little, ranging from 72 F (22 C) in the early morning to 92 F (33 C) at noon. The Asmat area is very humid year round.

“To appreciate Asmat art one is obliged to obtain an understanding of the environment and the milieu from which the artist arises. Although the land of Asmat might be misconceived by some as a congenial sunny place of ease, the very opposite is true. The environment is harsh, an alluvial swamp, barely bobbing above sea level, and almost constantly inundated by daily tides and heavy rainfall. Mud is a consistent bane to life. The jungles, overgrown by huge trees, bushes, and entangled thorn vines, are exceedingly difficult to trek through. Passage from one area of the jungle to another is managed conveniently only by use of a dugout, paddled on the myriad river system cutting and winding through it.

“Few large animals live in this wilderness, only the wild boar and the domesticated dog are found. Smaller animal species, such as marsupials, rats, flying foxes and flying squirrels are numerous. Reptiles, such as crocodiles, lizards and snakes find the swamp a damp and congenial habitat. The rivers provide fish, shellfish and some turtles. A relatively large variety of birds, the hornbill, king cockatoo, the crown pigeon and the bird of paradise among the most noted, bring both musical and raucous sounds to the jungle. The species and numbers of insects seem unlimited.” (Alphonse Sowada, OSC, “Forward” Asmat Images, Tobias Schneebaum, 1985, pg. 7.)

No stone or metal is indigenous to this land located on the southwest coast of New Guinea. Pottery has not been developed. Gardening and farming are impractical. However, if the jungle is cleared, the soil is quite fertile, especially in the peat-type areas, but only for two plantings. Once cleared, the land is quickly leached of nutrients by the rain (200 inches a year) and tides.

Brackish river water and coconut milk are the main liquids for drinking. Food consists of that which is gathered in the jungle or caught in the water. The staple of the meager Asmat diet is sago, a coarse starch obtained from a palm tree. Fish, wild boar, an occasional crocodile, birds and fruit are also common foods. The larvae of the capricorn beetle, often called the sago grub, and rats are also eaten.

The Asmat are now believed to number about 65,000. Many live in the foothills of the Jayawijaya Mountains in the western half of the island and remain difficult to contact. They live in villages with populations that vary from 35 to 2,000. In coastal areas, villages are located along the outer bends of rivers. In the past, watchtowers and huts were sometimes built 30 to 60 feet above ground for a better view of the approaching enemy.

The Asmat people have traditionally been seminomadic hunters and gatherers. Using rivers as highways, they paddle their canoes through the forest in search of fish, game, fruits and vegetables harvested from small gardens, and sago palm.