STNMTZ_19950601_30.tif | George Steinmetz

A young Korowai boy turning a bundle of sago grubs on the fire during the sago feast for tourists. Only a few of the tourists tasted them.

This picture was taken as part of an expedition for GEO Magazine and National Geographic Magazine to document the way of life of the Korowai tribe. Most of the Korowai in these photos had never had prior contact with anyone outside of their language group, and have no material goods from the outside world. They live in tree houses built above the forest floor to protect themselves from outsiders. The Korowai believe that contact with outsiders will bring an end to their culture. Cannibalism has been part of their traditional system of criminal justice to avenge the death of their clansmen, but the practice is dying out and is outlawed by the Indonesian government. The Korowai believe that most natural deaths are caused by sorcery, and must be avenged by the death (and consumption) of the person responsible.

Filename: STNMTZ_19950601_30.tif
Copyright: © 1995 George Steinmetz
Image Size: 7242x4827 / 100.0MB; www.georgesteinmetz.com; Indonesia Irian Jaya isolated Korowai Papua New Guinea indigenous culture traditional culture tree house cooking sago grubs
Contained in galleries: Tree People

A young Korowai boy turning a bundle of sago grubs on the fire during the sago feast for tourists. Only a few of the tourists tasted them.<br />
<br />
This picture was taken as part of an expedition for GEO Magazine and National Geographic Magazine to document the way of life of the Korowai tribe. Most of the Korowai in these photos had never had prior contact with anyone outside of their language group, and have no material goods from the outside world. They live in tree houses built above the forest floor to protect themselves from outsiders. The Korowai believe that contact with outsiders will bring an end to their culture. Cannibalism has been part of their traditional system of criminal justice to avenge the death of their clansmen, but the practice is dying out and is outlawed by the Indonesian government. The Korowai believe that most natural deaths are caused by sorcery, and must be avenged by the death (and consumption) of the person responsible.