Goroka Town, Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia
Accession Date:
17 May 2017
Collection Date:
8 Mar 2010
Notes:
Donor notes: Cost, 40 kina. Bilum (string bag) made of interlocking figure eight loops of twisted bark fiber rope known as isocusäbe (Bena term). This bilum was made for sale and sold at the Goroka bilum Market by Nancy Bune. A migrant from Bena region of the Eastern Highlands, Nancy has lived in Goroka for 10 years. As with other women in the market, Nancy sells her bilums to tourists and other Papua New Guineans as a way to earn money for her family. Sold for 40 kina. The bilum is nearly rectangular and dyed naturally, with varying shades of tan and brown. There does not seem to be a pattern to the areas that are darker or lighter. There is one small area in the lower right corner that has store dyed green thread. Handle looped on, made in a way consistent with the rest of the bilum, single handle.