Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia
Accession Date:
7 Nov 2019
Collection Date:
22 Jun 2011
Notes:
Large bilum (bag) made of acrylic yarn. Green with magenta, brown, black and white vertical stepped pattern. Single handle with pompoms at top. Donor notes: Maker, Vicki Sire. Cost: K50. This bilum is a large “half kundu” handbag bilum, which according to Vicki is a recent variation on the older “kundu” pattern. At the time of acquisition this was a very popular style in Goroka. The kundu is a traditional drum shape and a very familiar national symbol; in this design the “kundu” shape is halved both lengthwise and widthwise and then repeated, creating a sawtooth effect. (Other informants have described this pattern to me as “bun bilong fish” [fish bone] or “razor blade”; names of bilum styles are not always exclusive and frequently unknown.) The bilum is made of store-bought acrylic yarn in six colors: magenta, eggplant, olive green, lime green, cream, and brown. Attached to the outside centre of the handle are four tasseled flaua (pompoms) in lime green, brown, eggplant, and cream. During ordinary use these tassels would sit on the shoulder or head of the wearer.