Asmat Regency

Last updated
Asmat Regency
Kabupaten Asmat
Regency
Icon of Asmat Regency.jpg
Icon of Asmat Regency
Lambang Kabupaten Asmat.jpeg
Coat of arms
Motto(s): 
Ja Asamanam Apcamar
(Onward with Balance)
Lokasi Papua Selatan Kabupaten Asmat.svg
Indonesia Western New Guinea location map.png
Red pog.svg
Asmat Regency
Location in Western New Guinea and Indonesia
Indonesia location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Asmat Regency
Asmat Regency (Indonesia)
Coordinates: 5°22′46″S138°27′48″E / 5.3795°S 138.4634°E / -5.3795; 138.4634
Country Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia
Province South Papua
Regency seat Agats
Government
 • RegentElisa Kambu
 • Vice RegentThomas E. Safanpo
Area
 • Total
31,983.44 km2 (12,348.88 sq mi)
Population
 (mid 2023 estimate) [1]
 • Total
116,200
 • Density3.6/km2 (9.4/sq mi)
Demographics
[2]
 • Religion Christianity 93.28%
–Catholicism 56.44%
–Protestantism 36.84%
Islam 6.68%
Hinduism 0.03%
Buddhism 0.01%
 • Language Indonesian (official)
Asmat, Kamoro (native)
Papuan Malay (lingua franca)
Time zone UTC+9 (Indonesia Eastern Time)
Area code (+62) 902
Website asmatkab.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.

Contents

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

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

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

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 Kasuari2,29716,026
Fayit9687,025
Atsy4,28213,838
Suator3,2056,453
Akat3,0575,375
Agats 2,96312,905
Sawa Erma5,42413,549
Suru-Suru1,5591,406

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
93.04.06Pantai Kasuari238.495,1035,334Kamur999773
93.04.15Kopay719.713,7253,869Kawem1099772
93.04.14Der Koumur392.834,0894,203Yankap699771
93.04.16Safan685.946,9767,157Primapun1299774
93.04.22Awyu (a)729.162,8072,982Wagi699771
- 99776
93.04.05Fayit383.295,6115,743Basim1399782
93.04.21Aswi (b)360.543,7824,013Piramat1099782
93.04.02Atsy1,260.997,0657,295Atsy999775
93.04.17Sirets1,362.074,3654,526Yaosakor899787
93.04.18Ayip872.332,0882,189Comoro399776
93.04.19Betcbamu475.272,8162,915Youw799786
93.04.07Suator949.273,2093,405Binam1099792
93.04.09Kolf Braza2,660.192,7792,907Binamzain499791
93.04.20Joutu (c)736.902,1492,211Daikot799792
93.04.23Koroway Buluanop (d)773.711,3071,387Mabul799791
& 99792
93.04.04Akat3,488.425,6035,961Ayam1199779
93.04.13Jetsy690.492,6112,731Warse899785
93.04.01 Agats 701.9923,86926,088Bis Agats1299777
93.04.03Sawa Erma (e)3,084.516,0846,193Sauti1099783
93.04.08Suru-Suru2,942.234,1714,866Suru-suru2399781
93.04.10Unir Sirau1,093.773,3283,408Komor999780
93.04.11Joerat1,313.712,9903,093Yamas699784
93.04.12Pulau Tiga6,067.633,5793,704Nakai1199778
Totals31,983.44110,105116,200Agats221

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

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.
  4. ↑ Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2018.
  5. 1 2 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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