The Korowai tribe, which lives in the jungle of West Papua, reportedly lives in massive treehouses a hundred or more feet off the forest floor. The elaborate homes built among the treetops are only accessible via a ladder winding up the trunk of the base tree.
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There is controversy about whether the Korowai people reside in the treetop abodes. According to the BBC, the Indonesian treehouses were depicted as residences in a 2011 documentary. However, in 2018, a tribe member told a broadcast assistant that the homes were only “commissioned for filming.” BBC published a corrective statement about the accuracy of their 2011 program.
Whether the Korowai tribe resides in the treetop domiciles or not, they are still worthy of discussion. These structures are incredibly elaborate and speak of an ability to defy gravity. The architectural structure and overall stability of the homes are astonishing.
Homes may be 50 to 150 feet above the ground. Each structure may house up to 15 family members, so they must be sturdy. The incredible home pictured above uses two trees, with additional support poles on the corners and along the walls.
Rumors about the Korowai tribe say that they are still performing ritualistic cannibalistic practices. There is no recent evidence of this. Film crews and adventurers have been to tribal areas numerous times without becoming dessert.
The Korowai tribe has maintained the same hunter-gatherer lifestyle for hundreds of years. Although they have welcomed film crews and others, they do not want to fully modernize yet. Nearby motels are similar to the treetop homes. They are easily accessible with modern amenities including running water and electricity.
Would you live in these insanely high treehouses? Please share.
You can find the source of this story’s featured image here and here.
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