There are about 3000 Korowai people still living in these areas and before 1970's they were unaware of the fact that there was life besides themselves.
The Korowai tribe are direct neighbours of the Asmat and live north of the Dairam Kabiur.
Their habitat is limited by two large rivers and the mountains in the north. Their swampy area is approximately 600 sq km.
In this difficult area live nearly 2500 Korowai in small family groups. The Korowai are hunters and collectors.
They nourish themselves mainly with Sago which they won from Sago palms.
They take their main protein food from the larvae of the Capricorn beetle. The huntable animals represent their further base of life.
There are wild pigs; Casuar bird; birds; snakes; and small insects. Vegetable food is also very important for them. Especially palm leaves, fern, breadfruit and the red pandanae fruit.
Anthropologists suspect that cannibalism is no longer practised 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 culprit in some miss deed 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.
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