Gone Rural - Placemat set of 4 - Rainbow - Eswatini

Description:
This set of four woven placemats is a beautiful way to add texture, colour, and natural charm to your table. Each placemat is thoughtfully handmade in Eswatini by women artisans who draw on traditional weaving skills passed down through generations.

The mats are created from locally sustainable fibres such as lutindzi grass and sisal. Lutindzi grass, native to the Eswatini mountains, is an exceptionally tough wild grass that regrows naturally, making it a renewable and eco-friendly material. Sisal, known for its strength and versatility, is often dyed in vibrant hues, allowing the artisans to craft contemporary designs that blend tradition with modern style. Together, these fibres create placemats that are both durable for daily use and striking enough for special occasions.

Dimensions:

• Diameter: 28 cm

• Set of 4 placemats

Materials:

• Lutindzi Grass: Sustainable, hand-harvested wild grass, valued for its durability and natural strength.

• Sisal: Strong plant fibre that takes dye beautifully, adding colour and vibrancy to each woven piece.

About the Maker:
Handwoven by women artisans working with Gone Rural, a social enterprise founded in 1992 in Eswatini by Jenny Thorne. Gone Rural was established to provide economic empowerment to women living in rural and often remote communities, where few formal employment opportunities exist.

Today, Gone Rural supports more than 700 women, many of whom are grandmothers caring not only for their own children but also orphaned or vulnerable children within their communities. The women weave from their homes, enabling them to earn an income while maintaining traditional lifestyles, farming, and childcare.

Gone Rural provides training, market access, materials, and design support, ensuring artisans are fairly paid while also preserving the cultural heritage of weaving in Eswatini. Each placemat embodies empowerment, sustainability, and generations of skill woven into every strand.