The Korowai, also called the Kolufo, are a people of southeastern West Papua – that is, in the Indonesian Province of Papua, close to the border with Papua New Guinea). They number about 3,000.
It is possible that the Korowai were unaware of the existence of any people besides themselves, before outsiders made contact with them in 1970.
Language
The Korowai language belongs to the Awyu–Dumut family (southeastern Papua) and is part of the Trans–New Guinea phylum. A grammar and a dictionary have been produced by a Dutch missionary linguist.
Living
The majority of the Korowai clans live in tree houses on their isolated territory. Since 1980 some have moved into the recently opened villages of Yaniruma at the Becking River banks (Kombai-Korowai area), Mu, and Mbasman (Korowai-Citak area). In 1987, a village was opened in Manggél, in Yafufla (1988), Mabül at the banks of the Eilanden River (1989), and Khaiflambolüp (1998). The village absenteeism rate is still high, because of the relatively long distance between the settlements and the food (sago) resources.
The 1000-strong cannibal cult are believed to have killed at least seven people and eaten the raw brains of their victims, even making soup from their penises ... Asmat people are seen standing on rafts in this photograph taken in 1976.
... of Indonesia, has lived in isolation for centuries, relying on hunting, gathering and fishing for survival.The Korowai people have been portrayed in modern media for their connection to cannibalism.
The group of 13 climbed onto the roof at Korowai Manaaki in south Auckland at around 6.40pm on Monday ...It's not the first time young people have climbed on to the roof of Korowai Manaaki, a similar incident in July 2023 was blamed on staff shortages.
“These young people are here at Korowai Manaaki because they have committed serious crimes,” Chapman said ...It’s not the first time young people have climbed onto the roof of Korowai Manaaki, a similar ...
Indigenous to the Papua province of Indonesia, the Korowai people have been sensationalised in modern day media for their association with cannibalism, the practice of eating human flesh.
The 13 teens, aged between 15 and 18, gained access to a roof within the Korowai Manaaki facility in Wiriabout 6.40pm on Monday. ... “These young people are here at Korowai Manaaki because they have committed serious crimes. .
RNZ's reporter at Korowai Manaaki said five people could be seen on the roof, where a small piece of roofing appeared to have been pulled up and damaged ...It's not the first time young people have ...
Oranga TamarikiActing deputy chief executive youth justice services and residential care Iain Chapman said on Monday evening the young people accessed the roof of Korowai Manaaki, in Wiri.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for our uri to step forward and contribute to the leadership, direction and future of the Trust and the people it represents," a Te Korowai o Wainuiārua spokesperson said.
Drew Binski who had traveled in almost every country arrived alone in PapusNew Guinea where the Korowai people live in isolation ... The Korowai people don’t eat humans for pleasure or their nutritional value,”.
Staff at an Auckland youth justice facility are smuggling in contraband, roughing up children, and silencing any informants, a damning report from the Children and YoungPeople's Commission has found.
The Korowai... Some say that anyone killed by a 'demon' was eaten by the remaining tribe members, a curious revenge ritual to protect the rest of the Korowai people, although this has been disputed.
... of young people climbing on to roofs for extended periods ... Five young people spent the night of July 1, 2023 on the roof and within its cavity at Korowai Manaaki youth justice facility in Auckland.
At one point the number of young people parked up on the roof of the Korowai Manaaki facility in South Auckland reached eight and five youths were involved in the roof incident at Te Puna Wai ō Tuhinapo youth justice facility near Christchurch.
" may provide an opportunity for a wider discussion about how we tuitui (interweave), how we gather together the cloak of spirituality as a korowai for the things that we do in the physical world today.".
