Jump to content

Asmat Regency

Coordinates: 5°22′46″S 138°27′48″E / 5.3795°S 138.4634°E / -5.3795; 138.4634
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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
[1]
 • Total
25,015.31 km2 (9,658.47 sq mi)
Population
 (mid 2024 estimate)[1]
 • Total
120,902
 • Density4.8/km2 (13/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 covers a land area of 25,015.31 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 2024 was 120,902 (comprising 62,879 males and 58,023 females),[1] mostly from the Asmat ethnic group. The administrative centre of the regency is the town of Agats.

History

[edit]

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

Between Indonesia's independence in 1949 and 1962, the Asmat region was administered as a part of Dutch New Guinea along with the rest of the western half of the island of Papua. In 1962, the territory was handed over the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority, which itself gave the territory to Indonesia in 1963. Western New Guinea, including the territory that would later become Asmat Regency, officially joined Indonesia through the disputed Act of Free Choice in 1969.

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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 224 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 2024.[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.

Kode
Wilayah		 Name of
District
(distrik)		 Area
in
km2		 Pop'n
2020
Census		 Pop'n
mid 2024
Estimate		 Admin
centre		 No.
of
villages		 Post
code
93.04.16 Safan 663.93 6,976 8,691 Primapun 12 99774
93.04.15 Kopay 737.23 3,725 4,216 Kawem 10 99772
93.04.06 Pantai Kasuari 301.94 5,103 5,450 Kamur 9 99773
93.04.14 Der Koumur 297.04 4,089 4,945 Yankap 6 99771
93.04.05 Fayit 450.30 5,611 6,937 Basim 13 99782
93.04.21 Aswi (a) 441.38 3,782 4,016 Piramat 10 99782
93.04.22 Awyu (b) 684.91 2,807 2,974 Wagi 6 99771
- 99776
93.04.19 Bectbamu 700.48 2,816 3,409 You 7 99786
93.04.02 Atsy 1,360.80 7,065 7,374 Atsy 9 99775
93.04.18 Ayip 392.20 2,088 2,393 Comoro 6 99776
93.04.01 Agats 718.27 23,869 25,113 Bis Agats 12 99777
93.04.13 Jetsy 739.70 2,611 2,943 Warse 8 99785
93.04.17 Sirets 1,355.89 4,365 4,836 Yaosakor 8 99787
93.04.07 Suator 2,001.02 3,209 4,313 Binam 14 99792
93.04.20 Joutu (c) 557.43 2,149 2,461 Daikot 7 99792
93.04.11 Joerat 949.92 2,990 3,326 Yamas 6 99784
93.04.10 Unir Sirau 498.96 3,328 1,954 Komor 6 99780
93.04.04 Akat 95.58 5,603 2,852 Ayam 5 99779
93.04.25 Sor Ep 3,045.06 (d) 2,629 Beco 6 99779
93.04.09 Kolf Braza 1,172.42 2,779 1,851 Binamsain 9 99791
93.04.23 Koroway Buluanop (e) 505.64 1,307 1,693 Mabul 8 99791
& 99792
93.04.12 Pulau Tiga 3,102.01 3,579 4,088 Nakai 11 99778
93.04.03 Sawa Erma (f) 2,456.44 6,084 6,496 Sawa 10 99783
93.04.24 Tomor Birip 1,620.65 (d) 2,590 Tomor 8 99780
& 99781
93.04.08 Suru-Suru 166.11 4,171 3,352 Suru-suru 18 99781
Totals 25,015.31 110,105 120,902 Agats 224

Notes: (a) created in 2016 from part of Fayit District. (b) created in 2016 from parts of Ayip and other Districts.
(c) created in 2016 from part of Suator District. (d) included in the 2020 populations of the districts from which they were recently cut out.
(e) created in 2016 from parts of Kolf Braza and Suator Districts. (f) includes 4 offshore islands.

Villages

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Asmat.
  1. ^ a b c d Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2025, Kabupaten Asmat Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.9415)
  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.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Asmat Regency.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Asmat_Regency&oldid=1293066885"