Tama Open Weave Placemat

These intricately woven placemats create a beautiful table setting or statement charger. Handcrafted by female artisans, each placemat showcases the beauty of the time-honored weaving technique passed down from generations of artisans in northern Ghana. 13" Diameter Sold individually Natural color Locally sourced elephant grass The ideal housewarming gift and the perfect material for both outdoor and indoor dining! Due to the handmade nature, some size and color variation may occur. Behind The Design: Ghana has a rich cultural tradition of craftmanship known for many celebrated artisan techniques. The art of bolga weaving originated in the Bolgatanga region of Northern Ghana and has been practiced by Ghanian artisans for centuries. The intricate process is done entirely by hand, from processing elephant grass to weaving the fibers, and can take an artisan anywhere from 3-5 days to complete a single piece. Indego Africa’s bolga products are made from 100% elephant grass, a strong, resilient grass that grows abundantly in Northern Ghana. Before weaving, the grass is prepared by hand – splitting, twisting, and softening with water – in a process that takes about a week to complete. Impact The artisan sector is the second largest employer in the developing world. Yet the majority of artisans are women who lack access to export markets, business skills, and the financial tools needed to run successful, global enterprises. We are dedicated to changing that by investing 100% of our profits into education programs for the women who handcraft our products and youth in their communities. Since 2007, we've provided over 1,100 artisans and 250 young people in Rwanda & Ghana with employment opportunities, entrepreneurship training, and consistent access to the global export market.