Bilum sellers eager to display products at Goroka show

By ZACHERY PER
GOROKA bilum (string bag) sellers are gearing up to display their products at the Goroka Show next month.
Regular bilum weaver Loddy Kasare who sells at the Goroka town “Tumbuna market” in front of the Eastern Highlands government’s Yanepa Building thanked the Goroka Show committee for giving them an opportunity to display and sell their products at the show.
“We are ready and are raising funds to be more content when displaying and selling our bilum products at the show,” she said.
Kaeare, who hails from Lufa central in Lufa district, said she had been making and selling bilums in Goroka town for four years.
“This is the first time we are given chance to take part and we are happy,” she said.
“But we have to have money to take part so we are working hard to raise money for the show.”
Show chairman Keryn Hargreaves said there was huge interest for bilum makers and sellers to display and sell their products at the show.
She said registrations for the bilum activity was closed and more were still wanting to come in but due to resource limitations they could not accommodate every requests and interest.
“Despite the closure of singsing groups, bilum displays, tickets for the ball night, stalls and other activities, interested groups and individuals are still coming knocking at our office.
“This indicates that there is a need for increased funding and resources to be used at the show.
“I call on the government to consider increasing allocations for the show to increase the capacity to accommodate many interests,” Hargreaves said.
She said not all could be accommodated due to limited financial resources.