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100th Blog Giveaway - Bilum


A bilum is a string bag made by hand in Papua New Guinea, using a string looping technique. Traditionally, the string used was hand-made, from plant material – the bark of a plant called “lepa”. Now, however, most bilums are made from store bought brightly coloured yarn and many contemporary patterns have become popular, even those generated by computer.

Bilums are used to carry a wide range of items, from shopping goods in large bilums to personal items in purse-sized varieties. Mothers often carry their babies in bilums, and the bilum is said to be “womb-like” and associated with security and reassurance for a baby. In the past, bilums were used to carry food home after gardening or hunting. Bilums were also used to decorate an area where a dead person would be laid for viewing. Another really important and significant use of bilums was as contributions to the payment of the bride price. Bilums remain as a prized gift to exchange with friends or visitors.


As I have recently returned from Papua New Guinea, I am very happy to offer a bilum and a wooden wall hanging depicting the national symbol, Bird of Paradise as a special giveaway to celebrate my 100th blog post. Both of these artifacts ( pictured) are handmade by friends who live in Mando, a village in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. All you need to do to be eligible for this unique gift is to leave a comment with your contact details. I will draw a name next Tuesday, 19 October, noon Australian Eastern Summer Time.


I will be participating this weekend in the Hunter Homeless Sleep Out and am seeking sponsors, with all funds raised to support the Hunter Homeless Connect Day – a day of acknowledgement and support for the homeless and marginalized in our own local community. Please read all about it and donate online if you would like to support this community event – here is the link.   Hunter Homeless Sleep Out

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Comments

  1. baukjeOctober 13, 2010 at 5:30 AM

    What a beautiful giveaway . I wold love to win this. I am Baukje, a Dutch woman who lives in France. On my blog is also a giveaway, you are welcome.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNQV45Wichw

    ReplyDelete
  2. EvalinaMariaOctober 13, 2010 at 6:09 AM

    I would love to be entered in your giveaway draw. I've never been to Papua New Guinea, maybe some day...

    ReplyDelete
  3. michelleKOctober 14, 2010 at 6:42 PM

    It looks magicallll. I would love to be included.

    Hope you had a fabulous journey.

    I have a giveaway on to CHECK out my blog.

    http://michellekartdolls.blogspot.com/

    <3Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousOctober 15, 2010 at 12:08 PM

    Hi Wilma,

    I just wanted to write to say hi and thank you for sharing the beautiful photos of PNG on your blog. I gain such inspiration from nature and culture and your photos are truly that - inspiring! I also visited your etsy store and found your beaded creations amazing!
    I'd love to be included in your competition please.
    Should you like to swing by the Daisy & Mister blog I too have a competition on at present that you may be interested in:
    http://daisyandmister.blogspot.com/2010/10/its-competition-time.html

    All the best with you etsy store, I wish you every sucess.

    Arita
    Daisy & Mister
    http://daisyandmister.blogspot.com
    http://www.etsy.com/DaisyAndMister

    ReplyDelete
  5. tractorgirlOctober 16, 2010 at 11:59 AM

    that wall hanging is great! please enter me :)
    (and I'll tweet for you as well)

    e: rawmettle {at} yahoo dot com dot au

    ReplyDelete
  6. melanieOctober 16, 2010 at 2:09 PM

    Those are fabulous prizes, Wilma! You do some amazing work over there.

    ReplyDelete
  7. GillOctober 16, 2010 at 7:53 PM

    What a great giveaway!
    Please count me in
    Gill

    ReplyDelete
  8. SGILLJune 13, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    Absolutely a great idea, authentic design, great colours and for many different purposes. Count me in, it would be a huge pleasure to have in my possession one of these glorious and glamorous bags.

    ReplyDelete

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