Natural Earthy Placemats
A beautiful decorative placemat or unique addition to your wall
Sustainable and ethically hand-woven, these sturdy placemats or trivets are both remarkably durable and stylish.
These grass-woven placemats have been handmade by a group of women in a rural community bordering Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwest Uganda.
Approximate size
30 cm's diameter
As all of these placemats are handmade, please expect some differences in sizing and patterns.
Natural and sustainable dyes
All of the colours that you see in these baskets are made naturally using traditional knowledge of herbs.
Two different types of grass are used, one to give structure and one for the detail.
The result is these amazing and practical placemats, baskets and pots that would add style equally to a table, bookshelf or wall.
“Beautiful things should belong to beautiful souls.” Muriel Barbery
These ethnic African placemats certainly are beautiful, ethical and perfect for those who appreciate art. So, make sure to buy one (or more!) if you would like something special in your home or a charming gift for your loved ones.
As all woven goods are handmade, that's what makes them special. So please expect some small differences in sizing and patterns.
Fair trade benefits to artisans
Most of the baskets that we have are woven by a lady called Topista. She is 74 years young and a mother and a grandmother. Each basket typically takes her 4 days to complete between other household tasks (the average Ugandan woman spends 9 hours a day on household tasks). Last year the extra income she generated helped cover the family medical bills and even employ extra help so that she could focus more of her time on weaving!
About Bwindi Handmade Crafts
The founders of Bwindi Handicrafts spent 2 years working for a small NGO in Uganda. While working on sustainability projects they made a deep connection with the country, the life and the people that lived there. And it is these connections that they are continuing to develop and promote through opening up opportunities for their partners to sell their crafts.
Their inspiration comes from the strength and determination of the women that they work with.
How your purchase can make a difference
Uganda is one of the poorest nations in the world. In 2012, 37.8 percent of the population lived on less than $1.25 a day. Despite making enormous progress in recent years, poverty remains deep-rooted in the country's rural areas, which are home to 84 percent of Ugandans.
Bwindi Handmade Crafts is committed to promoting and empowering the groups that they work with so that they have a secure and sustainable source of income. By buying one of these baskets you are playing an important part in ensuring that this happens.
How these baskets are made
These craft items have been made by a small group of Batwa women who live on the borders of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in South West Uganda. The Batwa people traditionally lived off the forest's resources until it was made a conservation area in the early '90s and they were forced to leave the forest and survive outside. These women use their knowledge of herbs to make the natural dyes for the grasses and the traditional weaving skills passed down from mother to daughter for generations.
The baskets are made from two types of grass - a thicker stronger grass for the structure and the thinner more pliable one for weaving it together and creating the beautiful patterns that you see.
Care
Our baskets are sturdy, strong, and flexible, made to withstand constant use. If properly cared for, your basket will live a long life.
Dust your woven basket on a regular basis, wiping with a damp cloth if necessary. No other cleaning should be necessary.
Changes in temperature and humidity may cause your basket to expand and contract, which may make securing the lid difficult at times. Be patient and wait for the weather to change or remove from areas with high humidity (like bathrooms).
Karakorum introduces you to artisans of the world and the beautiful stories behind their products. This ethical home decor brand is a joyous celebration of traditional crafts, small business and fair trade practices.
Karakorum is named after the former capital of the Moghul Empire, one of the most important cities on the Silk Road, despite its small size. Likewise, the brand is a small-but-mighty route for trade from around the world.
A scroll through the Karakorum collection is like looking into the shop window of global artisans. Find candles crafted in Eswatini alongside Indian throws, Moroccan lanterns and Guatemalan sugar skull mugs.
All Karakorum products have a special story and significance. Even more importantly, everything in the range is ethically made and sourced. That means the makers get a fair wage, there’s no exploitation in the supply chain, women are treated equally and the local community benefits from Karakorum’s trade.
Whether you’re after a memorable, meaningful gift or a piece you can show off in your own home with pride – the Karakorum collection is the place to find it.
