Communities in and around Papua New Guinea have different traditional bilums. Bilum is the Tok Pisin name for handmade string bags. Each bilum is made using different patterns and colour dyes that are made traditionally.
The patterns used, tell different stories and reasons indicating how important the pattern means. The pattern and dyes both determine the outcome of the bilum. In the Sepik Provinces, traditional bilum weaving has been a practice and today, the practice continues. The traditional Sepik bilum is said to be colourful and very attractive.
Kossy, a small area in North Wosera in the Maprik District, has two particular traditional bilums; ‘Waka Wvur’ and ‘Mahngi Wvur’. Each bilum is signified by the different patterns used. Around the area, most weaving is done by the women, however there are no restrictions; men also weave bilums.
The bilum ‘Waka wvur’ is made from the bark of the Nylon tree. Once the bark of the Nylon is removed from the tree, it is laid out in the sun to dry. It takes a while for the sun to completely dry the nylon bark. When it is dried, the inside of the Nylon fibre is removed and is ready to be used. It is white in colour.
After drying, the Nylon is twisted together to make it stronger. In the process of twisting the Nylon, the weaver can start weaving. While weaving, he or she decides which patterns to use. Each weaver uses patterns according to his or her own reasons.
There are different patterns used and not all are same. The patterns have different meanings and reasons for being used. For the patterns used on the Waka Wvur, it signifies the planting of yam process in and around the Kossy area. Yam is the main food crop in the area and is the staple food for the locals. Because of this importance, they depicted it in the bilum designs as a reminder of their yam planting identity.
The patterns are shown with the colour dyes that are used. There are different types of dyes used. The most common ones used on Waka Wvur are brown, red, green, and yellow. To dye Nylon before weaving, the Nylon is placed into a pot of boiling water. While in the pot, dye is added into the hot water. Each dyed Nylon is created using the same process. The poured dye is stirred using a stick until the whole nylon is dyed and changes colour. Once dyed, it is removed from the pot. The dyed nylon is hung out on a line for the sun to dry so that, the dye can set. After this, the coloured nylon is ready and can be used.
In the past, the ancestors also used dyes but they were traditional dyes. Today, the practice of using traditional dyes is not used much; instead, it is replaced by the dyes that are sold at craft markets.
The sizes of Waka Wvur vary, depending on the one who is weaving. The bigger sizes are used for gathering, harvesting and carrying things. The young generations today, use it as a school bag to carry their school items, working string bilums, and for others, they carry it around as part of their identity.
Waka Wvur has been on the market for sale in the informal sector for some time. In the local markets around the Kossy area, Waka Wvur is sold at a much lower price. They are also sold at other traditional arts and crafts markets around Papua New Guinea.
The duration of a complete Waka Wvur takes two weeks to a month, depending on how fast the person weaves the bilum. If more time is invested to weave a particular Waka Wvur, then it takes fewer days to complete it. The duration also depends on the size of the Waka Wvur.
Apart from Kossy area, the Yangoru, Maprik, Drekikia and the Kubalia area also weave Waka Wvur. Though they weave Waka Wvur, the Kossy people are famous for the colourful Waka Wvur. The bilum is very attractive and portrays proud Sepik identity especially the people from the Kossy area. The practice is still maintained and has also become part of the locals’ way of earning income.
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