The African Broom

We have been told that the broom is something very typically Africa. It's seen everywhere in the Congo. The people sweep the dirt in front of their shops and homes with these little brooms every day. Even in the villages you see people sweeping around the immediate area of their home. We're not sure how they decide where their yards end and the other dirt begins, but you can see them sweeping, sweeping, sweeping.

Robert, our gardener/gate keeper is holding his broom.

These women fan out along the streets every day and sweep. They sweep the dirt back off the streets and they sometimes sweep the dirt paths along the sides of the streets. We think that they are trying to keep the dust down and remove rock from the paths.

Robert brushes leaves & debris from the flower beds regularly.

These brooms are made of stiff weeds that grow in abundance here. The weeds are bound together with leather cords or string. They come in several sizes and are sold from venders who carry them in baskets on their heads. We think that people sometimes just gather weeds and make their own. We have no idea why they use handleless brooms.There must be a reason. It makes our backs hurt just to watch them. But this is something very uniquely African.

Today we bought a big, new Broom for Robert ($2.20 each)

and one for us to display on our buffet, but definitely not to use!