Miniature Bag Item Number: 3557/5 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Bilum sealed inside a plastic bag; bag is secured shut with a paper manufacturer's label stapled over the opening. Bilum is square-shaped with a wide strap. Made predominantly of naturally coloured fibres with five decorative bands across length. Bands are (from top to bottom): checkered pink, green "V" shapes, alternating pink and natural squares, alternating green and natural squares, and checkered pink. Blue card is inserted into bag, behind bilum, with image of person wearing a bag and one of the bilum itself; paragraph of text describe materials, and techniques on how it's made.
Purchased by the donor in 1974-1975, possibly from the Wire Trade store, located on the Catholic Mission in Wewak. The items were made by the Au people of West Sepik province (Sandaun), possibly in Aitape?