Treehouse
- Apr 2
- 2 min read
In our “Kids Corner” series, we regularly publish exciting topics for our younger readers.
Imagine living in a house high up in the trees – as high as a fourteen-story building! That’s exactly what the Korowai people, an indigenous tribe from Papua, do. They build their homes on tree trunks, often 131 feet above the ground. But why do they do that?
The treehouses protect the Korowai from enemies, wild animals, and even from mosquitoes that can spread diseases. Plus, they get an amazing view over the jungle – like sitting in a lookout tower right in the middle of nature!
Building a treehouse is a real team effort. The men of the tribe find a strong tree with a thick trunk. They build a platform from wood and bamboo and then add walls and a roof, usually made from palm leaves. It often takes several weeks to finish a treehouse.
Everyday life in a treehouse is exciting, but also very different from what we know. People cook their meals over a fire, carefully made in a corner of the platform. They often eat sago, a porridge made from palm starch, along with meat or fish. To get water or gather supplies, they have to climb down the tree on ladders or ropes – quite a shaky adventure!
The Korowai children also live in these treehouses. They learn at an early age how to climb safely and find their way through the jungle. For them, living in a treehouse is normal – just like living in an apartment block or a house with a garden might be for you.
The Korowai treehouses are not just homes, but also symbols of their close connection to nature. They show how clever and creative people can be to live in such a wild place like the jungle.
Would you like to spend a few days in a treehouse high up in the trees?
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