Using business to preserve traditional practices

Business

By MARK HAIHUIE
CREATING a domestic market for cultural products ensures traditional practices are maintained, a local business woman says.
This is the case for handmade baskets from Kokopo, East New Britain, which are sold in Port Moresby.
Divine Management Services owner Dorothy Luana says although her business focuses on selling organic products, she’s ventured into baskets as well. It was a
decision based on the need to preserve culture while also making money.
“I was at Kokopo Market last year and this young girl was selling baskets,” she recalls.
“I went back with her to where she was from in the Raluana area.
“I found out that there was only one elderly man who knew how to weave these baskets.”
Luana requested for a batch to be made which she brought to Port Moresby to sell. This has been ongoing since mid-2017.
“Since I started selling the baskets, there are now more people making them in that family because they now have a guaranteed market,” Luana says.
“I have sold over K1000 worth of baskets.
“The baskets are going from K35 all the way up to K200 for the bigger ones used for babies.”