| Official Name: | Asmat Regency |
| Native Name: | Indonesian: Kabupaten Asmat |
| Type: | Regency |
| Motto: | Ja Asamanam Apcamar (Onward with Balance) |
| Coordinates: | -5.3795°N 138.4634°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  Indonesia |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | South Papua |
| Seat Type: | Regency seat |
| Seat: | Agats |
| Leader Title: | Regent |
| Leader Name: | Elisa Kambu |
| Leader Title1: | Vice Regent |
| Leader Name1: | Thomas E. Safanpo |
| Area Total Km2: | 31983.44 |
| Population As Of: | mid 2023 estimate |
| Population Total: | 116200 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Population Footnotes: | [1] |
| Demographics Type1: | Demographics |
| Demographics1 Footnotes: | [2] |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Religion |
| Demographics1 Info1: | Christianity 93.28% –Catholicism 56.44% –Protestantism 36.84% Islam 6.68% Hinduism 0.03% Buddhism 0.01% |
| Demographics1 Title2: | Language |
| Demographics1 Info2: | Indonesian (official) Asmat, Kamoro (native) Papuan Malay (lingua franca) |
| Timezone1: | Indonesia Eastern Time |
| Utc Offset1: | +9 |
| Area Code Type: | Area code |
| Area Code: | (+62) 902 |
| Pushpin Map: | Indonesia_Western New Guinea#Indonesia |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Western New Guinea and Indonesia |
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.
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),[6] mostly from the Asmat ethnic group. The administrative centre of the regency is the town of Agats.
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.
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.
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.
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.
After Indonesia's independence in 1945, the Asmat region became part of Papua, which was ruled by Indonesia. In 1969, Papua officially joined Indonesia through the Act of Free Choice (PEPERA), including the Asmat region.
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.
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.[7]
Asmat Regency in 2010 comprised eight districts (distrik), listed below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 Census.[8]
| Name of District (distrik) | Area in km2 | Pop'n 2010 Census | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pantai Kasuari | 2,297 | 16,026 | |
| Fayit | 968 | 7,025 | |
| Atsy | 4,282 | 13,838 | |
| Suator | 3,205 | 6,453 | |
| Akat | 3,057 | 5,375 | |
| 2,963 | 12,905 | ||
| Sawa Erma | 5,424 | 13,549 | |
| Suru-Suru | 1,559 | 1,406 |
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,[9] together with their official estimates as at mid 2023.[10] 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93.04.06 | Pantai Kasuari | 238.49 | 5,103 | 5,334 | Kamur | 9 | 99773 |
| 93.04.15 | Kopay | 719.71 | 3,725 | 3,869 | Kawem | 10 | 99772 |
| 93.04.14 | Der Koumur | 392.83 | 4,089 | 4,203 | Yankap | 6 | 99771 |
| 93.04.16 | Safan | 685.94 | 6,976 | 7,157 | Primapun | 12 | 99774 |
| 93.04.22 | Awyu (a) | 729.16 | 2,807 | 2,982 | Wagi | 6 | 99771 - 99776 |
| 93.04.05 | Fayit | 383.29 | 5,611 | 5,743 | Basim | 13 | 99782 |
| 93.04.21 | Aswi (b) | 360.54 | 3,782 | 4,013 | Piramat | 10 | 99782 |
| 93.04.02 | Atsy | 1,260.99 | 7,065 | 7,295 | Atsy | 9 | 99775 |
| 93.04.17 | Sirets | 1,362.07 | 4,365 | 4,526 | Yaosakor | 8 | 99787 |
| 93.04.18 | Ayip | 872.33 | 2,088 | 2,189 | Comoro | 3 | 99776 |
| 93.04.19 | Betcbamu | 475.27 | 2,816 | 2,915 | Youw | 7 | 99786 |
| 93.04.07 | Suator | 949.27 | 3,209 | 3,405 | Binam | 10 | 99792 |
| 93.04.09 | Kolf Braza | 2,660.19 | 2,779 | 2,907 | Binamzain | 4 | 99791 |
| 93.04.20 | Joutu (c) | 736.90 | 2,149 | 2,211 | Daikot | 7 | 99792 |
| 93.04.23 | Koroway Buluanop (d) | 773.71 | 1,307 | 1,387 | Mabul | 7 | 99791 & 99792 |
| 93.04.04 | Akat | 3,488.42 | 5,603 | 5,961 | Ayam | 11 | 99779 |
| 93.04.13 | Jetsy | 690.49 | 2,611 | 2,731 | Warse | 8 | 99785 |
| 93.04.01 | 701.99 | 23,869 | 26,088 | Bis Agats | 12 | 99777 | |
| 93.04.03 | Sawa Erma (e) | 3,084.51 | 6,084 | 6,193 | Sauti | 10 | 99783 |
| 93.04.08 | Suru-Suru | 2,942.23 | 4,171 | 4,866 | Suru-suru | 23 | 99781 |
| 93.04.10 | Unir Sirau | 1,093.77 | 3,328 | 3,408 | Komor | 9 | 99780 |
| 93.04.11 | Joerat | 1,313.71 | 2,990 | 3,093 | Yamas | 6 | 99784 |
| 93.04.12 | Pulau Tiga | 6,067.63 | 3,579 | 3,704 | Nakai | 11 | 99778 |
| Totals | 31,983.44 | 110,105 | 116,200 | Agats | 221 |
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.