[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ header_text_color=”#0a1766″ header_font_size=”42px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The High Life<\/h1>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_text_color=”#279b45″ text_line_height=”1em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
By Chadd McGlone<\/p>\n
Chapel Hill, NC, United States<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Imagine that you\u2019ve embarked on an expedition to explore New Guinea, the world\u2019s largest tropical island. The island is divided between two countries. Papua New Guinea occupies the eastern half, while the western half belongs to Indonesia<\/strong>.<\/p>\n You begin in Western New Guinea, a region covered with tropical forests and wetlands. Roads do not reach many remote communities, so people may travel by boat or follow paths.<\/p>\n At Home in the Trees<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n After hiking deep into the dense vegetation, you enter the traditional homeland of the Kombai people. Kombai families belong to clans, and each one has its own area of land. The forest provides materials for shelter as well as places to garden, hunt, fish, and gather food.<\/p>\n Imagine looking up and seeing someone\u2019s house perched high above the forest floor. Traditional Kombai homes are commonly built about 5 to 15 meters (16 to 49 feet) above the ground.<\/p>\n Construction begins with a strong tree that can support the weight of the dwelling. Builders raise wooden poles and beams around it, carefully fitting the framework together and tying the pieces with plant fibers gathered nearby. Bark and leaves are then added to form the floor, walls, and roof, turning materials from the surrounding landscape into a sturdy shelter in the treetops.<\/p>\n Why So High?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Why build so high? An elevated home can provide protection from flooding, damp ground, animals, and some insects. It can also give residents a wider view of the surrounding area and make it easier to see anyone approaching.<\/p>\n A notched pole serves as a ladder. Climbing into the house takes balance and care, especially when carrying food or other supplies.<\/p>\n On the Menu<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The forest also provides much of what goes into the Kombai people\u2019s daily meals. Families grow crops and gather plants as well as hunt and fish. One of their staples is sago, a starch taken from the soft inner part of a type of palm tree.<\/p>\n Preparing sago requires several steps. First, the tree is cut down and its inner material is broken apart. Water is used to separate the starch from the plant fibers. The wet starch can then be cooked and eaten.<\/p>\n Sago grubs, which grow inside the trunks of fallen sago palms, are another customary food. These pale, wiggling larvae may not look appetizing to everyone, but they are rich in fat and protein. They can be roasted over a fire or wrapped in leaves and cooked.<\/p>\n Some people describe these bite-sized snacks as rich and nutty, with a soft center and a crisp outside. Would you be brave enough to try one?<\/p>\n Have a suggestion for this story? We\u2019d love for you to\u00a0submit it<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Western-New-Guinea-GMS_aerial-via-Canva-600-x-400-px.png” alt=”A densely forested tropical hillside covered with a continuous canopy of green trees beneath a lightly overcast sky” title_text=”Western New Guinea GMS_aerial via Canva (600 x 400 px)” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Western-New-Guinea-GMS_Raja-Ampat-Island-lagoon-600-x-400-px.png” alt=”Calm turquoise water surrounded by mangroves and rocky, forested shoreline in a sheltered tropical lagoon” title_text=”Western New Guinea GMS_Raja Ampat Island lagoon (600 x 400 px)” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”9px” text_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”-40px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Photo \u201cRaja Ampat Islands, Papua, Indonesia<\/a>\u201d by Globe Trotting. Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.7″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Blank” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_css_main_element=”display: none; ” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Blank<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Slideshow” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Are you a teacher who\u2019s interested in telling this story to your students? Here\u2019s a slideshow you can use to get started.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Math Resources” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Learning Activities:<\/p>\n Sample Problems:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Social Justice Question” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n How do you feel about the pursuit by some Westerners to \u201cresearch\u201d the Kombai\u2019s way of life? Do you think they are better off left alone? What about the advances in nutrition and health care that could help them live longer and healthier lives?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Explore Further” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Share Your Story” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Western-New-Guinea-GMS_tree-house_vertical-400-x-711-px.png\")
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