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Asmat Regency

Coordinates: 5°22′46″S 138°27′48″E / 5.3795°S 138.4634°E / -5.3795; 138.4634
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For the article about the Asmat people, see Asmat people.
Asmat Regency
Kabupaten Asmat
Regency
Icon of Asmat Regency
Icon of Asmat Regency
Coat of arms of Asmat Regency
Coat of arms
Motto(s): 
Ja Asamanam Apcamar
(Onward with Balance)
Asmat Regency is located in Western New Guinea
Asmat Regency
Asmat Regency
Asmat Regency is located in Indonesia
Asmat Regency
Asmat Regency
Asmat Regency (Indonesia)
Coordinates: 5°22′46″S 138°27′48″E / 5.3795°S 138.4634°E / -5.3795; 138.4634
Country Indonesia
ProvinceSouth Papua
Regency seatAgats
Government
 • RegentElisa Kambu
 • Vice RegentThomas E. Safanpo
Area
 • Total31,983.44 km2 (12,348.88 sq mi)
Population
 (mid 2023 estimate)[1]
 • Total116,200
 • Density3.6/km2 (9.4/sq mi)
Demographics
[2]
 • ReligionChristianity 93.28%
–Catholicism 56.44%
–Protestantism 36.84%
Islam 6.68%
Hinduism 0.03%
Buddhism 0.01%
 • LanguageIndonesian (official)
Asmat, Kamoro (native)
Papuan Malay (lingua franca)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Indonesia Eastern Time)
Area code(+62) 902
Websiteasmatkab.go.id

Asmat Regency is a regency (kabupaten) in the northwestern portion of the Indonesian province of South Papua. It is bounded to the southwest by the Arafura Sea, to the southeast and east by Mappi Regency, to the north by Highland Papua Province and to the northwest by Central Papua Province. It was split off from Merauke Regency (of which it had been a part) on 12 November 2002.

Asmat Regency consists of an area of 31,983.44 km2, and had a population of 76,577 at the 2010 Census,[3] 88,373 at the 2015 Intermediate Census,[4] and 110,105 at the 2020 Census,[5] while the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 116,200 (comprising 60,099 males and 56,101 females),[1] mostly from the Asmat ethnic group. The administrative centre of the regency is the town of Agats.

History

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Asmat Regency is located in South Papua Province, Indonesia. The regency has a rich history and culture, much of which is influenced by the indigenous Asmat people.


Origin and Name

The name Asmat is taken from the name of the tribe that inhabits the area. The Asmat tribe is known for their unique wood carving art and rich ceremonial traditions.

Colonization

Before the arrival of the colonizers, the Asmat people lived in a traditional social structure that focused on customary and ritual systems. Dutch colonization began to influence the region in the late 19th century, although its influence was indirect and often intersected with local culture.

Dutch Colonization

During the Dutch colonial period, Asmat, like many other areas in Papua, was the focus of exploration and missions. However, Dutch influence in Asmat was relatively limited compared to other areas in Papua.

Accession of Indonesia

After Indonesia's independence in 1945, the Asmat region became part of Papua, which was ruled by Indonesia. In 1969, Papua officially joined Indonesia through the Act of Free Choice (PEPERA), including the Asmat region.

Formation of the Regency

Asmat Regency was formed in 1969 as part of an administrative effort to better manage and address the needs of the local community. The regency became part of Papua Province, and then, after expansion, became part of South Papua Province in 2022.

Culture

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Asmat Regency is renowned for its cultural diversity, including wood carving and traditional ceremonies, which are major attractions for researchers and tourists. Asmat history and culture remain an important part of the region's identity.[6]

Administrative districts

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Asmat Regency in 2010 comprised eight districts (distrik), listed below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 Census.[3]

Name of
District
(distrik)		 Area
in
km2		 Pop'n
2010
Census
Pantai Kasuari 2,297 16,026
Fayit 968 7,025
Atsy 4,282 13,838
Suator 3,205 6,453
Akat 3,057 5,375
Agats 2,963 12,905
Sawa Erma 5,424 13,549
Suru-Suru 1,559 1,406

However, by 2012 the number of districts had increased to nineteen; the eleven additional districts created in 2011 and 2012 were Kopay, Der Koumur, Safan, Sirets, Ayip, Betcbamu, Kolf Braza, Jetsy, Unir Sirau, Joerat, and Pulau Tiga. In 2016 another four districts were created (Awyu, Aswi, Joutu and Koroway Buluanop), bringing the total to twenty-three districts, comprising 221 administrative villages. The districts are listed below with their areas and their populations at the 2020 Census,[5] together with their official estimates as at mid 2023.[1] The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of administrative villages (kampung) in each district, and its post code. More recently another two districts have been created - Tomor Birip and Sor Ep - by further division of existing districts, bringing the total to 25 districts, but separate figures for these are not yet available.

Kode
Wilayah		 Name of
District
(distrik)		 Area
in
km2		 Pop'n
2020
Census		 Pop'n
mid 2023
Estimate		 Admin
centre		 No.
of
villages		 Post
code
93.04.06 Pantai Kasuari 238.49 5,103 5,334 Kamur 9 99773
93.04.15 Kopay 719.71 3,725 3,869 Kawem 10 99772
93.04.14 Der Koumur 392.83 4,089 4,203 Yankap 6 99771
93.04.16 Safan 685.94 6,976 7,157 Primapun 12 99774
93.04.22 Awyu (a) 729.16 2,807 2,982 Wagi 6 99771
- 99776
93.04.05 Fayit 383.29 5,611 5,743 Basim 13 99782
93.04.21 Aswi (b) 360.54 3,782 4,013 Piramat 10 99782
93.04.02 Atsy 1,260.99 7,065 7,295 Atsy 9 99775
93.04.17 Sirets 1,362.07 4,365 4,526 Yaosakor 8 99787
93.04.18 Ayip 872.33 2,088 2,189 Comoro 3 99776
93.04.19 Betcbamu 475.27 2,816 2,915 Youw 7 99786
93.04.07 Suator 949.27 3,209 3,405 Binam 10 99792
93.04.09 Kolf Braza 2,660.19 2,779 2,907 Binamzain 4 99791
93.04.20 Joutu (c) 736.90 2,149 2,211 Daikot 7 99792
93.04.23 Koroway Buluanop (d) 773.71 1,307 1,387 Mabul 7 99791
& 99792
93.04.04 Akat 3,488.42 5,603 5,961 Ayam 11 99779
93.04.13 Jetsy 690.49 2,611 2,731 Warse 8 99785
93.04.01 Agats 701.99 23,869 26,088 Bis Agats 12 99777
93.04.03 Sawa Erma (e) 3,084.51 6,084 6,193 Sauti 10 99783
93.04.08 Suru-Suru 2,942.23 4,171 4,866 Suru-suru 23 99781
93.04.10 Unir Sirau 1,093.77 3,328 3,408 Komor 9 99780
93.04.11 Joerat 1,313.71 2,990 3,093 Yamas 6 99784
93.04.12 Pulau Tiga 6,067.63 3,579 3,704 Nakai 11 99778
Totals 31,983.44 110,105 116,200 Agats 221

Notes: (a) created in 2016 from parts of Ayip and other Districts. (b) created in 2016 from part of Fayit District. (c) created in 2016 from part of Suator District. (d) created in 2016 from parts of Kolf Braza and Suator Districts. (e) includes 4 offshore islands.

Villages

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See also

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References

[edit]
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Asmat.
  1. ^ a b c Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2024, Kabupaten Asmat Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.9304)
  2. ^ "Religion in Indonesia". Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.
  4. ^ Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.
  6. ^ "Get to know the Asmat tribe of Papua and life within them". Best Seller Gramedia (in Indonesian). 2023-03-05. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
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