Awyu

The Awyu, also called Auyu or Awya, are a Papuan people of the Digul River basin in the South Papua lowlands, with communities on the Digul and Mappi, neighbours the Yaghai and western Muyu. They include the Aghu, whose speech is Central Awyu, and Nohon, Pisa and Jair subgroups, all speaking Awyu languages of the Greater Awyu branch of Trans-New Guinea.

Hunting, gathering and fishing supply sago, fish and river shrimp, and their traditions trace their origin to a cave from which ancestors migrated east along the rivers to settle at Yehundakai.

Certain animals and trees are held sacred, with prayers and offerings before entering forest; headhunting was once practised, and peaceful exchange with neighbouring Jair, Muyu and Mandobo communities. They are part of the ancient Papuan-speaking population, present long before Austronesian seafarers reached New Guinea around 1500 BCE.