Papua New Guinea Bilum String Bags
More Than a Bag
The bilum is a hand-knotted string bag made by women across Papua New Guinea — a versatile carrying vessel used for babies, food, firewood, market goods, and personal items. Every woman carries a bilum, and the skill of knotting is passed from mother to daughter. The bilum is so central to PNG culture that it appears on the national currency.
Making a Bilum
Bilum are made using a single continuous piece of string, knotted in a looping technique similar to netting. There is no frame, no loom, no pattern — the maker works from memory, creating the bag from the bottom up.
- Natural fibers — bark from tulip tree, sisal, or vine fibers, hand-spun into string
- Modern fibers — acrylic yarn and recycled nylon are now widely used for brighter colors and durability
- Dyeing — natural dyes from mud, bark, and plant extracts create earth tones; commercial yarns provide bright colors
Regional Styles
- Highlands — tight-knit bilum with geometric patterns in earth tones
- Coastal/Sepik — open-weave bilum with bold color bands
- Islands — fine-mesh bilum often in single colors
Cultural Meaning
The bilum represents womanhood, fertility, and provision. A bride brings bilum to her new family as part of the marriage exchange. The bag that carries a baby is considered especially powerful. Contemporary PNG designers are creating bilum-inspired fashion accessories for international markets, providing income while celebrating the tradition.
