The High Life

Imagine that you’ve embarked on an expedition to explore New Guinea, the world’s largest tropical island. The island is divided between two countries. Papua New Guinea occupies the eastern half, while the western half belongs to Indonesia.

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.

At Home in the Trees

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.

Imagine looking up and seeing someone’s 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.

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.

Why So High?

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.

A notched pole serves as a ladder. Climbing into the house takes balance and care, especially when carrying food or other supplies.

On the Menu

The forest also provides much of what goes into the Kombai people’s 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.

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.

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.

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?

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