The village of Oodi is best known for the acclaimed Lentswe-la-Oodi Weavers, a cooperative established in 1973 to provide an economic base for women from Oodi, Matebeleng and Modipane. At the workshop, wool is hand-spun then dyed using chemicals over an open fire (which creates more than 600 colours) and finally woven into spontaneous patterns invented by individual artists.
Most of the patterns depict African wildlife and aspects of rural life in Botswana. The women can also weave customised pieces based on individual pictures, drawings or stories if requested.
By car, get on the highway from Gaborone towards Francistown, and take the turn-off for Oodi village. Follow signs for another 7.5km to the workshop. Any northbound bus from Gaborone can drop you at the turn-off for Oodi, though you will have to walk or hitch the rest of the way.
