An Indian travel vlogger recently ventured into the heart of Indonesia's jungles to meet the Korowai tribe, a group historically sensationalised for their association with cannibalism. Dheeraj Meena, the vlogger, documented his journey and interactions with the Korowai people on social media, sharing insights into their traditional lifestyle and dispelling some myths about their practices.
The Korowai, indigenous to the Papua province of Indonesia, have lived in isolation for centuries, relying on hunting, gathering, and fishing. Their association with cannibalism has intrigued outsiders for years. While it is widely believed that the tribe practiced cannibalism in the past, particularly during tribal conflicts, Meena’s experience revealed that this practice has largely faded with time.
To reach the remote tribe, Meena embarked on a complex journey—starting with a flight, followed by a 10-hour boat ride, and concluding with a four-hour trek through dense jungle. "The Korowai live in extremely remote areas, maintaining a traditional lifestyle," Meena wrote on Instagram. He noted that the tribe resides in elevated treehouses and adheres to customs where men and women live in separate houses, with minimal clothing worn due to their environment.
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Meena asked Korowai members about their historical practice of cannibalism. One elder explained that people of his father's generation consumed human flesh as recently as 16 years ago, though the practice is no longer followed. Cannibalism, he noted, often occurred during tribal warfare, particularly when one group captured women from another group.
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"Known in the past for their practice of cannibalism, especially during tribal conflicts, the Korowai would sometimes kill rivals who captured their women, a practice that has mostly faded now," Meena further explained in his post.
Despite their "fierce history," Meena shared that the Korowai people were warm and welcoming. He spent several days immersing himself in their way of life, learning about their customs and traditions.
In a controversial exchange, Meena asked the Korowai man what human flesh tasted like. The elder replied that his father used to eat humans, but the tribe no longer does. Meena noted that accounts from anthropologists and historical sources have described the taste of human flesh as similar to pork or veal, with a texture like beef, though such claims are rare due to ethical and legal considerations.
Anthropologists have long studied the Korowai’s ritual cannibalism, which was largely abandoned by the 21st century as the tribe came into increased contact with the outside world. However, some research suggests that the Korowai may still claim to practice cannibalism as a way to attract tourists. Chris Ballard, an anthropologist from the Australian National University, told the Sydney Morning Herald in 2006 that some Korowai groups perpetuate the myth to feed tourist curiosity, stating, "Most of these groups have 10 years' experience in feeding this [cannibal] stuff to tourists."