National Museum

UNFPA Country Representative, Marielle Sander, spoke about the importance of bilums in the country and how the patterns were a way for a woman to communicate to a broader community about the milestones and challenges faced throughout.

This partnership with UNFPA, the National Museum and Goroka Bilum Weavers unlocks the hidden messages behind traditional forms of communication and meaning, and it invites to question the silence around women’s bodies, their social position and role in modern PNG Society.

The event held twice monthly at the museum is an ongoing occasion that promotes the work of vendors who are registered members of the Central Floriculture Association.

Though small, it attracts enough people within Port Moresby including expatriates who take time out on a weekend to purchase items ranging from bilums, home decorations, meri blouses of variety and plants to brighten up the home.

President of the association, Veronica Lou is the steer behind this event that has been ongoing for the last four years.

Caretaker Manager of the National Museum, Alois Kuaso, and Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, welcomed the announcement.

The artefacts were removed from the House in December 2013 by the former Speaker Theo Zurenouc, who said his actions were aimed at cleansing the building of evil spirits.

However, after the National Court ruled in favour of the National Museum, Speaker Job Pomat announced that his office was working with the latter to have the artefacts back on display in Parliament.