Sleeping with Cannibals: Visiting the jungle living nomadic of Karowai in Papua Indonesia.
The Korowai, also called the Kolufo, are a people of southeastern
Papua (i.e., the southeastern part of the western part of New
Guinea). They number about 3,000. Until 1970, they were unaware of
the existence of any people besides themselves.
Cannibalism
The Korowai have been reported to practice ritual cannibalism up to
the present day. Anthropologists suspect that cannibalism is no
longer practiced by the Korowai clans that have had frequent contact
with outsiders. Recent reports suggest that certain clans have been
coaxed into encouraging tourism by perpetuating the myth that it is
still an active practice.
In 2006, the television show 60 Minutes claimed that when someone in
Korowai society is convicted of being a khakhua(witch). he or she is tried,
and if convicted he or she is tortured, executed, and eaten. Other
unverified claims were made that the brain is usually eaten
immediately, while still warm, and that pregnant women and children
don't participate in the cannibal act.
The distinctive high stilt architecture of the Korowai houses, well
above flood-water levels, is a form of defensive fortification- to
disrupt rival clans from capturing people (especially women and
children) for slavery or cannibalism. The height and girth of the
common ironwood stilts also serves to protect the house from arson
attacks in which huts are set alight and the inhabitants smoked out.
18 Days – 17 Nights
Adventure in Papua - Expeditions to cannibal tribe of Karowai
Start / Finish: Jayapura airport
Tour Code: KNLR-PA-18D
Departure: Daily - you may arrange your own date
Grade: Challenging
Summary Itinerary:
Day 01: Jayapura Arrival (Jakarta (CGK) at 22:15 - Jayapura (DJJ) at
06:55 by Boeing737-900ER)
Day 02: Jayapura - Wamena - Dekai
Day 03: Dekai - Lopon - Braza River - Muara Siretz
Day 04: Muara Siretz - Mabul
Day 05: Mabaul - Stone Karowai
Day 06 - 08: Living With Karowai
Day 09: Back To Mabul
Day 10: Muara Siretz - Braza River - Lopon - Dekai
Day 11: Dekai - Wamena - Klise
Day 12: Klise - Ibiroma - Wamerek
Day 13: Wamerek - Wesagalep
Day 14: Wesagalep – Wuserem
Day 15: Wuserem - Kurima - Wamena
Day16: Wamena - Jiwika ( Pig Feast and Dance) - Wamena
Day 17: Wamena – Jayapura
Day 18: Jayapura – Jakarta (Jayapura (DJJ) at 07:45 - Jakarta (CGK) at
12:20 by Boeing737-900ER)
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Note: The Program/itinerary above is flexible, depending on local conditions, flights and weather.
