🌴 The Tribe That Lives Almost Entirely on Trees — Meet the Korowai People of Papua

The Tribe That Lives Almost Entirely on Trees — Hidden in the dense rainforests of Papua, Indonesia, lives a mysterious group of people known as the Korowai tribe. What makes them so unusual? They are a rare tribe that lives on trees — literally.

Their homes aren’t built on the forest floor, but in towering treehouses, some as high as 140 feet (42 meters) off the ground. Why? Let’s explore their unbelievable lifestyle.

🏡 The Tribe That Lives Almost Entirely on Trees — Why Do They Live in Treehouses?

There are several practical and cultural reasons why the Korowai tribe that lives on trees has chosen this vertical lifestyle:

• Protection from floods: The forest floods during heavy rains — treehouses stay dry.
• Avoiding insects and predators: Mosquitoes and wild animals are less likely to reach high altitudes.
• Spiritual beliefs: Many Korowai believe that evil spirits roam the ground, and treehouses offer safety.
• Tribal warfare and cannibalism (historically): Treehouses gave them a tactical advantage by spotting enemies from above.

🧰 How Are These Treehouses Built?

Using only natural materials from the jungle, the Korowai build complex elevated structures:

• Base: A tall tree with a solid trunk serves as the central pillar.
• Materials: Bamboo, sago palm leaves, and vines are used for the frame and roof.
• No nails or metal: Everything is tied together using jungle vines.
• Time taken: A typical house takes 2–4 weeks to complete and may last up to 5 years.

This ancient method proves the ingenuity of this tribe that lives on trees without modern tools.

🍃 What Do They Eat and How Do They Survive?

The Korowai live a hunter-gatherer lifestyle, deeply connected to nature:

• Sago palm is their primary food source — they extract starch from it.
• They hunt wild pigs, birds, and monitor lizards.
• Fishing and gathering insects like sago grubs (a delicacy!) is common.
• Fire is used for cooking and lighting the homes.

Despite living in isolation, they’ve mastered the art of jungle survival.

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🧑‍🎓 What Do Scientists and Anthropologists Say?

The Korowai remained unknown to the outside world until the 1970s. When researchers first encountered them, it was like stepping into a lost world.

• The tribe had no written language, no exposure to modern tools.
• Anthropologists were shocked by their complex architecture and survival intelligence.
• Some parts of the tribe are still mostly uncontacted and live completely off-grid.

They are a living example of what human life looked like thousands of years ago.

🌐 Are They Still Living This Way?

Yes — but with changes.

• Some Korowai have moved closer to towns for trade and education.
• Others still live high above the jungle in treehouses.
• Tourism and documentaries have brought attention, but many parts remain untouched.

Preserving the culture of this tribe that lives on trees is now a concern for anthropologists and human rights groups.

📸 Fun Fact:

The tallest recorded Korowai treehouse stands over 50 meters high — nearly as tall as a 15-story building!