Asmat Regency is a

regency In a monarchy, a regent () is a person appointed to govern a state because the actual monarch is a minor, absent, incapacitated or unable to discharge their powers and duties, or the throne is vacant and a new monarch has not yet been dete ...

(''kabupaten'') in the northwestern portion of the

Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean, Pacific oceans. Comprising over List of islands of Indonesia, 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, ...

n province of

South Papua South Papua, officially the South Papua Province (), is an Indonesian Provinces of Indonesia, province located in the southern portion of Western New Guinea, Papua, following the borders of the Papuan customary region of Anim Ha. Formally establ ...

. It is bounded to the southwest by the

Arafura Sea The Arafura Sea (or Arafuru Sea) lies west of the Pacific Ocean, overlying the continental shelf between Australia and Western New Guinea (also called Papua), which is the Indonesian part of the Island of New Guinea. Geography The Arafura Sea is ...

, to the southeast and east by Mappi Regency, to the north by

Highland Papua Highland Papua () is a provinces of Indonesia, province of Indonesia, which roughly follows the borders of the Papuan customary region of Lano-Pago (often shortened to La Pago). It covers an area of and had a population of 1,467,050 according to ...

Province and to the northwest by

Central Papua Central Papua, officially the Central Papua Province () is an Indonesian Provinces of Indonesia, province located in the central region of Western New Guinea. It was formally established on 25 July 2022 from the former eight western regencies of ...

Province. It was split off from

Merauke Regency Merauke Regency is a Regencies of Indonesia, regency in the far south of the Indonesian province of South Papua. It covers an area of 45,013.35 km2, and had a population of 195,716 at the 2010 CensusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and 2 ...

(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,Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. 88,373 at the 2015 Intermediate Census, and 110,105 at the 2020 Census,Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. while the official estimate as at mid 2024 was 120,902 (comprising 62,879 males and 58,023 females),Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2025, ''Kabupaten Asmat Dalam Angka 2025'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.9415) mostly from the Asmat ethnic group. The administrative centre of the regency is the town of Agats.

History

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 Dutch New Guinea or Netherlands New Guinea (, ) was the western half of the island of New Guinea that was a part of the Dutch East Indies until 1949, later an overseas territory of the Kingdom of the Netherlands from 1949 to 1962. It contained ...

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 The United Nations Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA) was established on 1 October 1962 in accord with Article two of the New York Agreement to administer the former Dutch colony of West New Guinea until it was handed over to Indonesia ...

, 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

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.

Administrative districts

Asmat Regency in 2010 comprised eight

districts A district is a type of administrative division that in some countries is managed by the local government. Across the world, areas known as "districts" vary greatly in size, spanning regions or counties, several municipalities, subdivisions ...

(''distrik''), listed below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 Census.Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. 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,Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. together with their official estimates as at mid 2024.Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2025, ''Kabupaten Asmat Dalam Angka 2025'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.9415) The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of

administrative village A village is a human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town with a population typically ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand. Although villages are often located in rural areas, the term urban village ...

s (''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. 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

*Atsy *Bis Agats * Omandesep * Otsjanep

References

External links