Weavings from Rorkes Drift, South Africa

Rug from Rorkes Drift, South Africa

This is a rug that was woven in Rorkes Drift, South Africa at the Lutheran Arts and Crafts Center.  In Oct. 2012, when I went to the Bishops' Consultation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Southern Africa, the first portion of the meeting was in Rorkes Drift.  I was thrilled that we had a chance to tour the facility where the weavers weave.  The Swedish Lutheran Church provided teachers in the 1960's to train people in Rorkes Drift at the Swedish Mission Station in several art forms, including weaving.  In the weaving studio, there are about 30 two harness looms.  The women dye the wool for the weft and use linen for the warp.  What I found to be fascinating was that some of the designs were very geometric and reminded me of weavings from the southwest.  There were also some weavings that were more mural-like and depicted life in Africa.  I bought a small simple weaving to bring home as a reminder of what I saw.  I will post a picture of that one soon.  This one below was part of a three panel piece that was on display.  Rorkes Drift is well known in some art circles as people were trained as artists.  Some items from Rorkes Drift have been displayed around the world.  There are also people who create ceramic pieces and print fabric at the complex.  Their challenge today is getting what is made to a market and the Arts and Crafts Centre focus is now more on production than art.  Their work is beautiful!

Tapestry Rug at Rorkes Drift