Kamoro Ecology: Papuan Gardener

Under outside encouragement, some Kamoro are slowly taking up agriculture. Hunting, fishing and gathering are their preferred ocupations. In Atuka, thanks to the efforts of a long-time resident Javanese schoolteacher, gardening has become relatively successful. Nutrient-deficient sand mounds are fertilized by an underlying layer of twigs and leaves of the Crotalaria striata, as well as the leaves of the beach hibiscus, Hibiscus tiliaceous.

Kal Muller 2004