The art of weaving in Milne Bay is alive and well but also dying as expressed in the two-day Women Weavers of Milne Bay (WWOMB) Exhibition held in Alotau July 15-16.
The exhibition featured the weaving of women from the Alotau and Samarai Murua Districts.
The exhibition is an exhibition that featured the traditional art of weaving in Milne Bay.
WWOMB exhibition coordinator Elaine Bate explained the purpose of the exhibition.
Mrs Bate said the idea of the weaving exhibition was developed many years ago.
She admitted that it was time to exhibit the artistic weaving skills of Milne Bay women in such an exhibition.
She also was concerned that the art of weaving was also dying out.
“The younger generation of Milne Bay women are not learning the weaving skills from their mothers and grandmothers,” she remarked.
Alotau District Authority Wome’s representative, Angela Nelson said that the exhibition showcased the artistic talent of Alotau women.
Nelson said that Alotau women were resilient and when provided the opportunity were able to sell their art and crafts and food to make money.
In the Alotau District exhibition from the Daga Local Level Government came these three demonstrating the Eek or Bilum weaving.
The Suau LLG showed Pandanus Basket weaving and Clay Pot Cooking with an exhibition of catching the Mud Crab and tying them up.
The Makamaka LLG showed off their Bead, Shell and Grass Skirt Weaving.
Weraura LLG featured Baskets, Mats, Grassskirts and Fishing Nets and Huhu LLG showed off their Baskets and Grassskirts - Magololo.
From Samarai Murua came:
Bwanabwana with their Basket and Mat Weaving;
Louisiade LLG had Basket and Mat weaving and
Murua LLG had also Basket and Mat weaving.
Not to be outdone by her women folk and gender imbalance was this lone male weaver from Daga LLG.
He is skilled in weaving Bracelets, Arm Bands, and Rings from Reeds.
Women also took the opportunity to sell their made art and crafts and local food from Milne Bay and PNG.
The majors sponsors of the WWOMB Exhibition was Egwalau Tours and Events Ltd.
Picture: WWOMB exhibition coordinator Elaine Bate (right) with her helpers.