MY MAGAZINE
READ ALL ARTICLES HERE
trips & activitiesDIRECTORYeventscontact

Made in the Gambia: Palm leaves broom

My Magazine 2022/09
2 min
The local broom is a unique type of broom made of palm leaves. Many Gambians use this type of broom to clean their house and compound. The classical type is a bend-down broom, but since the wooden handle was introduced, you can see two types being sold in the market.

The process of making a local broom starts by gathering palm leaves from the palm tree. It can be a coconut or palm tree. Then the leaves are removed from the stem holding it. Local women use a knife to slice the leaf off the small stem. After removing everything, the stems are left to dry, after which they are beaten using special methods to remove the remaining of the leaves, leaving a clean, smooth stem. The stems are then packed together and tied into a bundle with a rope. The bundles are in different sizes, being sold for different prices.

These bundles are sold in the market or local stalls. Small sizes cost GMD 25 to GMD 35, and bigger sizes cost GMD 50 to GMD 60 depending on the broom's quality. The quality depends on the process of preparation. Some broom makers would not clean the broom properly, and some won't let it dry properly. These types of brooms will shed the remains of leaves when you are cleaning.

Aside from cleaning, the broom has great importance in African society. It signifies unity and harmony. It reminds families to always be united and stand together during a crisis. The great African proverb states ˝If you are united like the broom, no one can break you˝.

Did you enjoy this article? Share it with friends >>>

Gambian resourcefulness
Most significant masquerades of The Gambia

- OTHER ARTICLES -

Subscribe To Our Magazine
No spam, notifications only about new issues.
Subscription Form za Mailerlite - landing

All articles

Subscribe To Our Magazine
No spam, notifications only about new issues.
Subscription Form za Mailerlite - landing

Other articles

SLG: Gambia's Leading NGO for Road Safety
Save Life Gambia (SLG) is officially registered in Banjul, The Gambia, as a national not-for-profit and nongovernmental youth-led organisation for roa...
Bird of the month: Bishops
Bishops can only be seen in their glorious colourful mantle during the breeding season, which mostly coincides with the rainy one. Furthermore, you ne...
Interview with Mr Khimji V. Pindoria
Swami India International Ltd has been making a change in the real estate market of The Gambia since 2004, providing high-quality homes and constructi...
Viajes National Geographic in The Gambia
My Gambia, with Ninki Nanka Encounters, and with the support from GTB and our partners, hosted a visit of a journalist and photographer of a Spanish V...
JOBS
© MyGambia 2025
Developed by MarkLab

My Gambia Team

Typically replies within 30 minutes

We will be back soon.

Hey there 👋
We are here to help. What can I do for you?
Start Chat with us
chat