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The Kombai tribe is an indigenous Indonesian tribe that lives in the lowland forests of South Papua Province, particularly in Mappi Regency, and is known for their lifestyle on trees at high altitudes. They have a deep knowledge of nature and traditional culture that has been passed down from generation to generation, as well as still practicing their traditional religious rituals.
Kombai created three types of houses inside their clan area. Most of these houses are stilt house with the central pillar being a large tree pruned forming a tree house. The tree houses for residence are called guoro, usually built around 3–15 meters above ground. A taller treehouse is called walina, usually built 15 meters or more above ground and used as a lookout for men. The shortest is called ibena, built near ground level, and is used by women when giving birth or during their menstruation cycles. Large ibena are used for sago grub festivals.
The Kombai people live in clans, each clan having its own territory called boluf. The boundaries of boluf with the uninhabited forests are called rerikho. Areas inside the boluf are considered the source for food for the clans, which include: yards called yarimo and are cultivated to produce vegetables, sweet potatoes, bananas, tobacco, and to raise poultry. Swampy area are cultivated to grow sago, and fields become places for women to collect leaves for ingredients or medicinal purposes.
Usually the center of the boluf will be the ramo dumo, the central and sacred tree house belonging to the eldest member of the patriclan and his immediate family. This sacred treehouse is thought to act as a defense from enemy attacks, and is closely guarded by men with bows and arrows. As his sons mature and get married, they will move out and form their own treehouses near the primary tree house.
Kombai created three types of houses inside their clan area. Most of these houses are stilt house with the central pillar being a large tree pruned forming a tree house. The tree houses for residence are called guoro, usually built around 3–15 meters above ground. A taller treehouse is called walina, usually built 15 meters or more above ground and used as a lookout for men. The shortest is called ibena, built near ground level, and is used by women when giving birth or during their menstruation cycles. Large ibena are used for sago grub festivals
The Kombai also eat the larvae of the capricorn beetle, called sago grub, which is considered a delicacy. To harvest them, a sago tree is cut down and left for a month, then wrapped in leaves and left to rot for three months, after which time the larvae are collected. This traditional food is used in festivities with neighboring clans and tribes to strengthen social ties
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