City on the Board that serves as the Capital of the Asmat tribe

Once upon a time, nearly a hundred years ago, a Dutch pastor named Jan Smith conducted a missionary evangelism in the interior region of the Asmat tribe.

At that time, everything was still limited and the Asmat tribe was still very primitive. Pastor Jan Smith faced heavy challenges in his mission, yet he remained steadfast in his heart to serve God. Until one day, the Pastor was killed for reasons that remain a mystery to this day. However, before his death, Jan Smith made a statement that is often interpreted as a curse by the local inhabitants. A southern coastal area of Papua called Agats will be wet and become a swampy region forever.

Until now, the residents of Agats still believe in the curse myth. They consider the words spoken by the Pastor to be the reason why the city of Agats will always be a city built on swamps. In fact, the words of the Pastor, whose statue was erected at the small port of Agats, have become a widely spread story from mouth to mouth and are regarded as the myth of the occurrence of muddy land in Agats.

    
Agats is the capital of a newly expanded region of the Asmat Regency, which is part of the Papua province. This city is located on the southern coast of the island of Papua, close to the Timika area in the Mimika Regency. Due to its proximity to Timika, it is easier to reach Agats from the city of Timika by using a boat or a small aircraft. Agats, with a population of around 76,000 people, is an important city for the surrounding districts. This city plays a key role in driving the economy and governance in the new Asmat Regency.

Agats has its own uniqueness. The muddy and swampy land conditions require this city to be built with roads made of boards, which at a glance resemble a dock. All the roads in Agats indeed resemble bridges made of ironwood. However, with the advancement of time and technology, these bridges have begun to be improved in the form of stronger concrete. Until now, the development of the capital of Asmat Regency is carried out on these unique roads. All buildings in this city, which covers an area of almost 30,000 square kilometers, also adapt to the shape of stilt houses. In fact, the main mode of transportation in this bridge city is motorcycles, and those are electric-powered motorcycles.

Indeed, the condition of Agats, which is still very limited, has made the local government and all residents adjust to the situation. The wooden bridge roads that stretch widely across the Agats region will not be able to withstand the weight of heavy motorbikes, let alone cars, which are certainly impossible to use as a means of transportation. Now, in addition to electric motorcycles, the residents of Agats, most of whom are migrants from outside the Asmat region, rely on sea transportation in the form of motorboats or simply walk if they are still within the city.

Another limitation that Agats has is the lack of clean water supply. The people of Agats still rely on rainwater collected in water tanks. The swampy soil indeed makes it difficult for this land to provide clean water. Therefore, it is not surprising that bathing with this stored water feels more slippery and makes it difficult to rinse off the soap used. Nevertheless, the creativity of the community enables them to continue to survive in these conditions.

Although it has many limitations, the facilities and infrastructure of the city of Agats are quite adequate. The port, government offices, hospitals, markets, police stations, military posts, schools, and even museums are present in this unique city. The residents are also freely engaging in various activities and gradually developing businesses to support their livelihoods. Many shops and restaurants are open along the city of Agats, generally owned by newcomers trying their luck in this swampy city.

The uniqueness of the city of Agats is in line with the culture and tourist attractions it has. The museum can be the first point to visit before learning more about Asmat life. Various information about the Asmat tribe and their way of life can be found in this museum. Tourists from both within and outside Indonesia have frequently visited this well-maintained museum. There is no fee charged to enter the museum, only the awareness of tourists to set aside a small amount for additional funds for the maintenance and operation of this museum.

In addition, not far from the center of Agats, there is a traditional village called Syuru. In this village, various unique Asmat cultures can be seen directly. From the bachelor house "Jew" to the proud carvings of the Asmat, we can witness the process in this village. Syuru village can serve as a starting point to learn about various Asmat cultures before heading directly into other inland areas such as Sawaerma or Asuwetsy. The city of Agats seems to be an introduction before embarking on a further adventure to understand the existence of the Asmat tribe in the land of Papua.

The existence of the city of Agats is a testament to the perseverance of its inhabitants. Despite various limitations, this city continues to stand and even develops itself in an increasingly better direction. This city serves as the main support and a place of reliance for the Asmat tribe in Papua. Agats is also a milestone in the growth of Asmat tourism, which certainly brings foreign exchange to Indonesia. This is the unique and fascinating face of Agats that is worth exploring further. A city on stilts that always presents a charming appearance.

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