Geography and Habitat

Asmat is located in the Indonesia province of Papua. Papua occupies 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. Much of the environment consists of alluvial swamp. Daily tides and periods of heavy rainfall result in muddy regions and vast systems of waterways. Travel from one area to another is often most conveniently done with a dugout canoe. The Asmat region supports wild boar, crocodiles, lizards, snakes, small marsupials, flying squirrels, and flying foxes. In the river regions there are shellfish and some turtles. Bird populations includes the hornbill king cockatoo, crown pigeon, and bird of paradise. No stone or metal is indigenous to this land located on the southwest coast of New Guinea. Gardening and farming are impractical in many regions. However, if the jungle is cleared, the soil is 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. On-going agricultural projects are difficult to sustain. Brackish river water and coconut milk are the main liquids for drinking. Excluding imported foods, diet 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, is also eaten. The Asmat are now believed to number 65,000 â?" 70,000. 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.