![[Man with kina necklace and shell nose plugs: 35k]](../../../../images/shellsa.gif "© Carolyn Leigh, 2005. All rights reserved.")
BILAS
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Bilas (Pisin from the English word flash): finery, ornaments, jewelry, decoration, showy clothes, bilas bilong singsing - ornaments worn at a dance.
(right) Highland Big Man with kina shell necklace, green beetle and geri geri shell headband, toea shell and bone nose pieces.
Shells are Gold: Miners who came into the Highlands searching for gold discovered people who valued shells more. The gold-lipped pearl shell is cut into crescent shapes called kina. The other traditional shell currency is the toea, a circle of shell cut with bamboo. These are worn singly for nose pieces or strung to make necklaces or bracelets. Many other shells are also used.
Papua New Guinea's main unit of modern currency is also called the kina. 100 toea coins equal one kina. Shell is still used in traditional ceremonial payments. more photos
Tooth and Bone: Dog teeth, fruit bat teeth, crocodile teeth, porpoise teeth, pig's tusks and teeth are all used. During the colonial period, the Germans manufactured porcelain dog teeth and traded them. Strings of dog teeth are part of a family's wealth. Large pigs with tusks that curve back to form complete circles show wealth. The tusks are used for necklaces and nose pieces. Sometimes a deceased relative's or enemy's bones are worn to attract the ghost's spiritual power. more photos
String and Things: Necklaces, headbands and armbands are knotted from handmade string and may include seeds, trade beads, feathers and fur, grasses and ferns, croton leaves, yellow orchid vine, everlasting daisies, links of bamboo and fiber chains. more photos
buy traditional jewelry from JungleOutpost.com and NewGuineaArt.com
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Collecting New Guinea art in the field since 1964.