‘Bilum is my life’: PNG women share stories of strength and optimism

Bilum making is a cultural tradition in Papua New Guinea that has encouraged much strength and optimism among the local women.

For dedicated single mothers like Lina Singu, she says, “Bilum is my life”.

The woven bag with its vibrant colours has become a source of living for Singu and her family. Today, she trains several hundreds of women to follow suit.

“We teach them the different designs, the quality, the traditional knowledge,” said Singu.

Through her collaborative work with the Australian-based not-for-profit, Among Equals, Singu said she has been able to build her house and enroll her son through university.

Florence Jaukae Kamel is the key driver behind the partnership with Among Equals. Earlier this month, she joined Singu and other PNG women artisans at a Q&A event hosted by the not-for-profit in Sydney.

Read more about that talanoa at the Among Equals site.

For more insight on this work, read ‘The Business of Bilas’ at islandsbusiness.com