There was no fire. Everyone had to eat raw food. Until, one day a man named Biriwir decided to search for fire. He cut down a certain tree, dug it out, and set it out in the sun to dry in order to make a canoe. Because there was no fire, it took a long time for the moist wood to dry. When the canoe was ready, Biriwir set off with his brothers and male relatives. They walked along the river, following the tide. They passed many villages. They learned that no village had fire.

After a long journey they came to the last village at the foot of the river. There they saw an iron house on top of a very tall iron tree. A man lived in that house who had fire. The manís name was also Biriwir. He lived alone. Before Biriwir from the head of the river arrived, Biriwir from the foot of the river went out to hunt wild boar behind his iron house. He secured his door and descended his vine ladder. As he stepped down he rubbed grease on each rung to make sure that no one could climb to his house.

Biriwir and his relatives saw the iron house. It was enormous. Curious, they decided to look inside the house. One by one they tried to climb, but each one slid to the ground. At last, the youngest brother tried a second time and made it to the top. When he entered the house, at first he saw that it was empty. Then he saw fire in the back of the house. He grabbed the fire and threw it down to those who waited on the earth. The Iron house of Biriwir of the foot of the river burned to ashes.

The relatives from the head of the river rushed to their canoes with their prized possession and set off for home. Biriwir returned home from the hunt. Seeing the ashes he asked, "Who has burned downed my house?" He turned in time to see the people in the canoe holding the fire. "Who are you?" he called out. "My name is Biriwir! What is your name?"

Surprised, the man from the head of the river responded, "My name is also Biriwir. We came searching for fire."

"Then it is you who burned down my house," said the second Biriwir, "It is you who stole my fire. So be it. Later, you will all die. Some of you will be killed by wild boar; others will be eaten by crocodile; some will be bitten by snakes, and the rest will be eaten by other human beings." Then the second Biriwir shouted to them, "Go home and divide my fire with those who do not have fire."

Biriwir from the head of the river and his relatives returned home. As they stopped at each village they shared the fire, so that fire spread throughout all Asmat. Even today, the fire that burns in Asmat homes came from Biriwir of the head of the river who stole it from Biriwir who lived at the foot of the river.

The interesting question that I have about this myth is whether or not it also tells how death came into the world. Death comes with the stealing of fire that is owned by his double, or his other self at the other end of the river. It is wonderful really. Bringing fire into our world... from the world where things are of iron, or the other side, brings the comfort of fire, knowledge, and death... these are of course musings. But, the balance in the story is lovely and meaningful like a strong dream.