Uganda, Mekeka Designs, Jiri Lumbar

Product name: Jiri Lumbar

Type of product: Pillow

Description (story of the item): Jiri is a traditional pattern found in the gorgeous plaited mat designs of Uganda. This twill based plaited design is a unique interlacement of natural palm leaves that form a perfectly textured surface. What is remarkable about this design is the innate knowledge that Florence Nakachwa and her team have to create an overall pattern of shapes through the unique process of joining plaited strips. Each weaver plaits meters and meters of palm in a long strip that is 2.5 inches wide. This narrow piece is invisibly stitched together to form a tube, all along the way the weavers carefully line up the patterns. Once the tube reaches about 2 meters long, it is slit up the side revealing the textile and pattern. The reverse of this pillow is handwoven, 100% Ugandan cotton grown and processed at Fine Spinners Uganda Ltd. It is beautifully woven on countermarch floor looms by Grace Kirabo’s team at TEXDA. Each textile features a side zipper and is crafted entirely by hand from materials from nature. Slight variations in tone, surface, and structure are to be expected. Goods vary in design 5 -7%. (Pillow form not included)

*Textiles can engage our senses and bring about a sense of calm when we bring them into our home environments. With each pillow purchase, each person will have access to a live (recorded option available) grounding therapy workshop. Cohosted by counselor and trauma therapist Tiffany Reves (MA, LPC-S, NCC), we will explore how to engage with our textiles as tools for self-care and grounding. Tiffany will lead participants in activities that engage with our senses and teach us how to bring more balance into our lives.

Materials: Plaited palm, handwoven cotton

Measurements / size: 30cm x 122cm AND 30cm x 60cm

Availability / stock level: Due to the impact of COVID, please allow up to 16 weeks for production.