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Win a Bilum Tote Bag from Among Equals
About the Prize:
We have a bilum tote bag to give away from not-for-profit brand Among Equals, who specialise in handmade bags woven by artisans in Papua New Guinea.
This Lina Mamari bilum tote is one-of-a-kind and has been woven by artisan Lina Singu, who has used the income she earns from bilum, to purchase land, build a house, and fund her son's education.
The natural fibres are sourced from surrounding vegetation, including the sisal and pandanus plants. They are then laboriously pounded, twisted into string, naturally dyed, and woven.
Worth £203
About Among Equals:
Among Equals is a not-for-profit brand led by women and shaped through long-term relationships with artisan weavers in Papua New Guinea. Since its founding, the project has focused on creating meaningful economic opportunities for some of the most marginalised women in the region, while safeguarding an ancient and culturally significant textile tradition.
The story began in 2015, when founder Caroline Sherman visited Goroka and encountered communities of Bilum weavers. Struck by the ingenuity of their techniques and the confidence of their colour, she recognised both the cultural value of Bilum weaving and its potential as a viable source of income. From this meeting grew Among Equals: a platform built on optimism, mindfulness and respect for craft.
Today, the organisation works with more than 3,000 women across some of the most remote regions of Papua New Guinea, including the Highlands, the Sepik River and Telefomin. Each Bilum is handwoven using traditional methods, often incorporating unravelled wool, locally sourced fibres and natural dyes derived from plants, berries and ochres. No two bags are the same. Each carries the weaver’s individual expression alongside stories passed down through generations.
Among Equals pays a premium for every Bilum and reinvests all profits directly back into PNG communities. The impact extends beyond the individual maker, with each sale supporting families and wider networks. The weavers remain central to decision-making, choosing which designs to produce and shaping the future of their craft as small business owners and creatives.
Alongside trade, the organisation supports weaver-led training programmes. Led by Florence Jaukae Kamel, known as Bilum Meri, these initiatives address quality, leadership and market readiness, ensuring the tradition can continue to evolve on its own terms.
Through thoughtful curation and global distribution, Among Equals brings Bilum weaving to new audiences, celebrating the resilience, creativity and cultural knowledge of the women at its heart.
Further Information:
Image Credits:
All images courtesy of Among Equals:
Lead: Bilum Tote Bag
2: Sepik weaver and cultural advisor, Lina Singu.
3: Goroka weaver, Oteme.
4: Bilum weaving
5 - 9: Among Equals Spring Summer campaign. Photographed by Hannah Scott-Stevenson
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