Bilum ('tiyaapl men bilum')
Production date
Pre 1967
Country
Papua New Guinea
State/Province
West Sepik
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Object detail
Description
Woven bilum, adorned with cassowary feathers and with coloured, patterned weaving in yellow and purple.
Classification
INDIGENOUS CULTURES Melanesian & South Sea Islander bag
Production date
Pre 1967
Production place
Measurements
Approximate measurements: L 690 x W 380 mm
History and use
This cassowary bilum is also known as ‘tiyaapl men bilum’. These types of bilums are associated Mountain Ok/Min peoples of the West Sepik region.
Feathered bilums are traditional indicators of a man’s initiation status. The ownership of a ‘tiyaapl men bilum’ marks the final stage of initiation. The bilum is decorated by the initiate in the confines of the men’s house, and once he emerges, women are unable to look inside the billum. After initiation, the bilum serves the same everyday purposes as other bilums – as a bag, or container – but also enhances the wearer’s status and appearance.
Min people identify the cassowary as Afek, the primal mother who gave birth to everything.
This object was part of a larger donation made to the Museum of Tropical Queensland in 2012, on behalf of the estate of Len and Catherine Lawler.
Feathered bilums are traditional indicators of a man’s initiation status. The ownership of a ‘tiyaapl men bilum’ marks the final stage of initiation. The bilum is decorated by the initiate in the confines of the men’s house, and once he emerges, women are unable to look inside the billum. After initiation, the bilum serves the same everyday purposes as other bilums – as a bag, or container – but also enhances the wearer’s status and appearance.
Min people identify the cassowary as Afek, the primal mother who gave birth to everything.
This object was part of a larger donation made to the Museum of Tropical Queensland in 2012, on behalf of the estate of Len and Catherine Lawler.
Associated person
Registration number
E40867
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