A plastic bag replacement in the form of a hand woven traditional string bag.
Replacing your plastic bags with this delightful traditional string bag 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 flexible weave allows this bag a great deal of flexibility and stretch. Use it as an alternative grocery bag or as a shoulder bag or handbag.
Hand woven in a wide range of colours, this bag becomes a functional fashion statement.
All proceeds from the sale of this delightful bilum go back to assist women who live and work in isolated areas in PNG. This 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.
We sell these on at no cost, as a way to support creative women living and working in isolated communities.
Your plastic bag replacement is right here with this hand woven traditional string bag or bilum in a range of colours.
A perfect plastic bag replacement, this hand woven traditional string bag in a mix of colours is also called a bilum and is the traditional string bag of Papua New Guinea .
You can easily 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 or Hand Woven Traditional String Bag ?
Made by women in PNG, the bilum is a traditional, hand woven string 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 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 hand woven string bag or 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 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 Traditional String Bag Or Bilum
$55.00
Hand Woven Traditional String Bag Or Bilum
A plastic bag replacement in the form of a hand woven traditional string bag.
Replacing your plastic bags with this delightful traditional string bag 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 flexible weave allows this bag a great deal of flexibility and stretch. Use it as an alternative grocery bag or as a shoulder bag or handbag.
Hand woven in a wide range of colours, this bag becomes a functional fashion statement.
All proceeds from the sale of this delightful bilum go back to assist women who live and work in isolated areas in PNG. This 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.
We sell these on at no cost, as a way to support creative women living and working in isolated communities.
1 in stock
Description
Your plastic bag replacement is right here with this hand woven traditional string bag or bilum in a range of colours.
A perfect plastic bag replacement, this hand woven traditional string bag in a mix of colours is also called a bilum and is the traditional string bag of Papua New Guinea .
You can easily 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 or Hand Woven Traditional String Bag ?
Made by women in PNG, the bilum is a traditional, hand woven string 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 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 hand woven string bag or 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 of bag: 32.5 cm [ approx. 12 3/4 inches] Refer to photo gallery
Width of bag: 45.5 cm [ approximately 18 inches]
Length of shoulder strap from top of bag : 33 cm [ approximately 13 inches]
Materials: cotton/ wool
Care
Please spot wash and lay flat to dry.
Additional information
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