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 km, and had a population of 76,577 at the 2010 Census, 88,373 at the 2015 Intermediate Census, and 110,105 at the 2020 Census, while the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 116,200 (comprising 60,099 males and 56,101 females), 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.

Origin and Name

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.

Colonization

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.

Dutch Colonization

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.

Accession of Indonesia

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.

Formation of the Regency

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.

Asmat Regency in 2010 comprised eight districts (distrik), listed below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 Census.

Name of District (distrik)	Area in km	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
Agats	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, together with their official estimates as at mid 2023. 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 km	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	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	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	736.90	2,149	2,211	Daikot	7	99792
93.04.23	Koroway Buluanop	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	Agats	701.99	23,869	26,088	Bis Agats	12	99777
93.04.03	Sawa Erma	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.

• Atsy
• Bis Agats
• Omandesep
• Otsjanep

• Asmat people
• Lorentz National Park

• Statistics publications from Statistics Indonesia (BPS)