Raffia Woven Table Mat – Handmade Uganda Homeware
A raffia woven table mat from Uganda is one of the most elegant and practical souvenirs you can bring home. Handwoven from natural raffia palm fibre by skilled Ugandan artisans, these placemats and table runners bring the warmth and texture of African craft into your kitchen and dining room.
About Raffia
Raffia is a natural plant fibre extracted from the leaves of the raffia palm (Raphia farinifera), which grows across tropical Africa including Uganda’s humid lowlands and river valleys. The long, flat leaf fibres are stripped, dried, and sometimes dyed with natural plant pigments before being woven into mats, baskets, hats, and a wide range of homeware products.
Raffia is one of nature’s most versatile fibres – strong enough to use as rope, flexible enough to weave into fine fabric, and naturally resistant to moisture and heat, making it ideal for table use.
Weaving Patterns
Ugandan raffia mats are woven using a variety of plaiting techniques that create different surface textures and patterns. Common designs include:
- Simple over-under checkerboard weave in natural cream tones
- Chevron and herringbone patterns in two-tone natural and dyed raffia
- Geometric border patterns in black, brown, and red natural dyes
- Round coiled placemats in concentric colour rings
Set Options
Raffia table mats are sold as single pieces or in sets of 4 or 6 placemats with a matching table runner. A set of 4 placemats costs $12-$25 USD. They are heat-resistant, easy to wipe clean, and lightweight for packing. Available at Kampala markets and craft cooperatives nationwide.