Pacific Legal Network (PLN) is proud to support PNG bilum getting beyond the horizon

THE bilum is originally thought to have originated from the highlands of PNG and into the Momase region and later the rest of the country. Today, bilum is the 'national identity' of the country. This was evident when Pacific Games Medal winners were each presented with a bilum in 2015 in Port Moresby. 

This height of bilum promotion has reached another level in the Pacific and the world over. Bilum is sold in many other countries and mostly in Australia. It is not only a national pride but also a souvenir item sold all over the world. 

In France, a bag souvenir shop is named as Bilum Shop, to pay homage to PNG bilum. USA, UK and Germany are countries were bilum is evident in the possession of so many people who have lived and worked in PNG.

Ten-needle bilum pattern made by a women from Tambul, Western Highlands Province. Bilums are taught to have originated from the highlands of PNG. Image: Elizabeth Bonshek / 2007.

In Australia, it is getting a bigger popularity. The Pacific Legal Network (PLN) in Australia has announced it is proud to involve and support the International Trade Centre (ITC) on its women and Trade program in the Pacific to work on the bilum. 

The ITC is a joint subsidiary organ of the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) based in Geneva. The project aims to increase the economic participation of women in the economy through trade and micro-business. The initial roll-out of the programme is in Papua New Guinea and is centred around Bilum.

The project is aimed at transforming the traditional and largely informal, fragmented activity of Bilum weaving into an art form and making it an economically viable export product for the benefit of the women involved in the production of the Bilum articles. 

Moved by the economic empowerment of women objectives, PLN Australia and Fairfax Legal have been jointly assisting the ITC in a pro-bono capacity by providing initial structuring advice for the organisation to be established in Papua New Guinea. 

Once established the organisation will assist women in Papua New Guinea through providing them with access to training and educational programmes, Bilum fibre as well as services and facilities to allow them to create Bilum products. 

In late April last year (2016), Sydney lawyers Nitij Pal and Samantha Cook, for the love of bilum, joined forces with Keith Iduhu and Vanessa Kihanges the PNG team on-the-ground, to attend the advisory committee meeting to discuss the establishment of the national association. 

Project Bilum is not only for a great cause, but it is another opportunity for the Sydney and Port Moresby team to work collaboratively together.

Torek Farhadi, ITC Women and Trade Senior Adviser, says "ITC is very much appreciative of PLN making its' expert time available to the project on a pro bono basis. This is a potent model for development, and allows real life practitioners to support economic empowerment of underprivileged women in the Pacific region."

While the current export of bilum is low, and not well organised, there is firm interest from internationally identified buyers and designers for PNG high end products utilising the bilum technique.

A cultural Day celebration with PNG and West Papua students in China - some PNG students have taken pride to show off with their bilums during the celebrations. Bilum has traveled very fast within a short period of time. Image: Mandy Rasta /March, 2017.

Rev. John Mehl with his new PNG hat and bilum. Bilums are loved by many foreigners who set foot in PNG shores. Image: Facebook / 2017.