One of our favorite visits to a village

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Before we get to observe some of the “pasin lo PNG” (cultural ways of doing something), we crossed another part of the river and walked through some fun terrain.

We begin our trek to a new village.

The grass was above our heads at times.  It was such an adventure to anticipate what we would see at the end.

 

Just soaking it all in. The walk was an experience!

You just never know what obstacles you might face, and Bryan always seems to stay the cleanest.  It was eye opening to think that many nationals walk this trail everyday to go to town, their gardens, and work…EVERY DAY!

 

We arrived safe and sound and excited to see a new village and learn a new pasin of PNG.  This one would be one of my, Shara’s, favorite as it is some of their artistry at work.

An incredible "pasin" or cultural way of life in PNG is Basket making. They are beautiful and a lot of hard work! Here is a fun fact about them, this is a mans' artistry not for women.

 

All the men in our class got a chance to learn how to make baskets or should I say they started a little smaller…pencil holders!

Bryan is getting the chance to learn how to make what looks like a pencil holder. Our language helper is working it with him.

It is interesting to know not all men work these baskets.  But this village had many men that new their stuff.  The village really enjoyed having us and teaching us.  The people here are so hospitable and friendly!

 

Bilum's (pronounce Bee-lum) or yarn bags are the artistry of the women. These are used all the time in the country for just about everything, by both men and women. When women are not working... they are making a bilum!

 

Shara being shown how to "wokim bilum" (make a bilum).

 

Watching these women work fast with their home made needles, and twisted “rope” (yarn) was fascinating.  The needles were home made from the metal  of old umbrellas. Then they wouldn’t just buy the yarn and start using it.  No they took the yarn and made it stronger by joining two pieces together and turning them tight. Below is a picture of a woman “tanim rop”

You take two strands, roll them together down your leg and back up your leg to make them stay together. It was amazing how fast they did it. When we white ladies tried it was soooooo hard!

I was thinking this process has to take forever and now I can see why so many white women don’t want to learn this pasin.  But we must if we are going to sit among these women and get to know them!

Now it's Shara's turn to try it out. Lets just say I have a ways to go before I can really work fast like them! But in time it will come.

 

Well all good things must come to an end.  But not without a little fun in the mud!

 

This is when you don't think about hygene or let your imagination run, you just follow the person in front knowing you are not alone in this! I repeat... people walk this EVERY DAY!

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