Replacing your plastic bags with this delightful bilum is an easy solution to helping our planet. Help both the environment and women living in isolated communities by purchasing a bilum.
Woven and used by women in PNG, bilums are the traditional carry bag with multiple uses.
Traditionally used in cultural rituals or tribal exchange, bilums were also used as a carry bag for food, goods and even babies.
More recent uses also include use as a shoulder bag and fashion item or to replace plastic bags.
The firm weave allows these bags a great deal of flexibility and stretch. Use it as an alternative grocery bag or as a shoulder bag or handbag.
This bag has been handwoven and is a one off piece. No two of our bilums are the same, as each is made totally by hand in PNG using traditional methods.
We sell these on at no cost, as a way to support creative women living and working in isolated communities.
You can be absolutely sure these are authentic bags too, by the knots and bits of wool or even the odd variation in a knot or weave. These are not mass produced in a factory, but by women who hand weave in the traditional way.
A Hand Woven Shoulder Bag Using Traditional Methods
How about this hand woven shoulder bag using traditional methods for your next eco fashion statement? This bilum or traditional string bag from Papua New Guinea can also double as a plastic bag replacement. With a delightful combination of blue, grey and black relieved with panels of soft colours, this bag is especially perfect as a fashion statement.
Don’t be fooled by this hand crafted number. This bag is designed and made to be sturdy and unquestionably versatile.
You can even store or fold away this delightfully versatile bag for use when you go grocery shopping.
Take it with you in the car, folded in a handbag or simply wear it as a fashion accessory when the mood takes you.
We love using them as shoulder bags because they’re soft, they streeeeeetch so far and they’re comfortable to wear.
What is a Bilum?
Made by women in PNG, the bilum is a traditional, hand woven bag which incorporates a range of different weaves and patterns.
Woven using a twisting or looping technique, bilums have a range of functions, both traditionally and currently.
With spiritual or symbolic significance, the intricate and unique patterns of a bilum also record events, stories or provenance.
Made from natural fibers such as bird feathers, possum fur, sisal, hemp, or pandanus leaves, bilums have more recently been made from wool.
Designed and made to have multiple uses, these string bags, as a result, make themselves a must have item.
Used traditionally, the bilum can:
Carry food and / or goods by slinging the woven handle over the head
Act as a carry bag or hammock for babies. Carried, like vegetables and goods, the baby is slung and hung from the head for easy transportation or alternatively hung under a shady tree to catch the breeze.
Form part of cultural rituals
Function in tribal exchanges
Used currently, the bilum can:
Act as a shoulder bag due to its long, woven handle.
Replace the handbag as a fashion accessory
Carry groceries in place of a plastic bag. You can easily roll or fold your bilum and keep it in your handbag.
Would you like to know more about us or our bilums?
Hand Woven Shoulder Bag Using Traditional Methods
$35.00
Hand Woven Shoulder Bag Using Traditional Methods
A Plastic Bag Replacement In The Form Of A Bilum.
Replacing your plastic bags with this delightful bilum is an easy solution to helping our planet. Help both the environment and women living in isolated communities by purchasing a bilum.
Woven and used by women in PNG, bilums are the traditional carry bag with multiple uses.
Traditionally used in cultural rituals or tribal exchange, bilums were also used as a carry bag for food, goods and even babies.
More recent uses also include use as a shoulder bag and fashion item or to replace plastic bags.
The firm weave allows these bags a great deal of flexibility and stretch. Use it as an alternative grocery bag or as a shoulder bag or handbag.
This bag has been handwoven and is a one off piece. No two of our bilums are the same, as each is made totally by hand in PNG using traditional methods.
We sell these on at no cost, as a way to support creative women living and working in isolated communities.
You can be absolutely sure these are authentic bags too, by the knots and bits of wool or even the odd variation in a knot or weave. These are not mass produced in a factory, but by women who hand weave in the traditional way.
1 in stock
Details
A Hand Woven Shoulder Bag Using Traditional Methods
How about this hand woven shoulder bag using traditional methods for your next eco fashion statement? This bilum or traditional string bag from Papua New Guinea can also double as a plastic bag replacement. With a delightful combination of blue, grey and black relieved with panels of soft colours, this bag is especially perfect as a fashion statement.
Don’t be fooled by this hand crafted number. This bag is designed and made to be sturdy and unquestionably versatile.
You can even store or fold away this delightfully versatile bag for use when you go grocery shopping.
Take it with you in the car, folded in a handbag or simply wear it as a fashion accessory when the mood takes you.
We love using them as shoulder bags because they’re soft, they streeeeeetch so far and they’re comfortable to wear.
What is a Bilum?
Made by women in PNG, the bilum is a traditional, hand woven bag which incorporates a range of different weaves and patterns.
Woven using a twisting or looping technique, bilums have a range of functions, both traditionally and currently.
With spiritual or symbolic significance, the intricate and unique patterns of a bilum also record events, stories or provenance.
Made from natural fibers such as bird feathers, possum fur, sisal, hemp, or pandanus leaves, bilums have more recently been made from wool.
Designed and made to have multiple uses, these string bags, as a result, make themselves a must have item.
Used traditionally, the bilum can:
Used currently, the bilum can:
Would you like to know more about us or our bilums?
Drop us a line with your question.
Details of Bilum
Height: 26 cm
Width: 35 cm
Strap length on one side: 24 cm
Materials: cotton and wool
Care
Please spot wash and lay flat to dry.
Additional information
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