Family, Kinship and Marriage
The Korowai household
finds itself located 20 meters off the ground in their famous tree house
dwellings. Practicing patriarchal polygamy, a single tree house may consist of
up to 15 individuals. These families consist of one dominant male with one or
more wives and all unmarried children. The children are taught by the females about
morals, until boys reach adolescents (age 15). By which time they move in with
men to become part of the hunt and learn the special knowledge of the
ancestors. Girls on the other hand learn the roles of women at the earliest
possible age and are married after their first menstruation, to a man of around
20 years old.
Papua Heritage
Foundation. “Life up in a Korowai tree house.” info@papuaheritage.org. Accessed November
4, 2013
My Reflection: Being a hunter gatherer culture, the Korowai have differing roles for males and females. The men are seen as dominant in this patriarchal polygamous society, taking care of hunting and decision making. Women are married off at a young age, meant to care for the household and children. A single househould can hold up to 15 individuals, with 1 dominant male and his wives and unmarried children.
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