The pointer broom or the ‘pointa’ broom has been around for generations. The pointer broom is not only popular in Guyana, but the Caribbean and countries like the United States of America, Canada and Britain. Many overseas-based Guyanese especially the older folk would take these pointer brooms back to North America. They would swear that these are the best brooms to sweep with – even better than vacuum cleaners.
There is even a common Guyanese Proverb that goes like, ‘New brooms sweep clean but an old broom knows the corners.’ This proverb warns that experience is also a valuable thing.
Pointer Broom
What is the Pointer Broom?
A broom is a cleaning tool used to sweep dirt, dust and debris. The pointer broom or coconut broom is a bundle of coconut fibres tied together. It is made from branches of the coconut palm tree. The green leaves are stripped away, leaving the supple yellow ‘pointer’ or fibres. These are then tied together tightly with a string or cloth and ready for some housework. New pointer brooms are usually yellow and soft. The old ones are brown and hardened by use.
Uses of the pointer brooms
Generally, the pointer brooms are used for cleaning. The new brooms are long and yellow. The tips are soft wisps, suitable for sweeping wooden or tiled floors. They are easy to handle but if used incorrectly can redden your palms, pun intended.
As they age, the brooms become brown and brittle and are now better suited for outdoor work or harder surfaces. Many persons use new pointer brooms in their homes and then use them outside when they age. The stiff pointers are great for sweeping leaves and debris in the backyard.
During the Easter vacation, children would ‘borrow’ pointers from the older brooms. These, together with kite paper, a strip of cloth and ‘clammy cherry’ as the glue they will use to make kites.
In African tradition, one of the traditions the newlyweds have to take part in is ‘Jump the Broom.’ In Ghana’s tradition, this is a symbol of the wife’s commitment to the house she joins. It is also believed whoever jumps the highest will be the head of the household in decision making.
Interesting tip:
- ‘Clammy’ cherry is given the name because they are sticky and can be used as glue. The scientific name of the plant is Cordia Obliqua and is popular among the Caribbean children.
- Ghana is a country in West Africa, along the coast on the Gulf of Guinea.
How to make a pointer broom?
Long ago making the pointer brooms was a cooperative something in the village. Groups of women would get someone to climb the tall, coconut trees and cut down its branches. They would gather in a circle, ‘gyaff’ and make their brooms. When their brooms are made, they head home to cook dinner for their families. Some would also walk through villages and sell their brooms.
Materials:
- A sharp knife
- Branches from coconut tree
- A colourful strip of cloth
- Garbage bag
Steps:
- Cut individual stems from branches
- Remove the green leaves. To do this. make a small cut into the stem, grip and pull down.
- Repeat step three (3) until a handful of pointers are ready
- Tie them together and you have yourself a brand new pointer broom.
- Clean up the leaves and fibres and dispose of them properly
Did you know?
If someone ‘broom’ you, it means that you won’t get married! This means if someone sweeps your feet with a pointer broom, it may be difficult to find a bride or groom.
How the Pointer Broom continues to be useful to Guyanese
In addition to being sold in the city of Georgetown, farmers in the Pomeroon area in Region One of Guyana have started to produce these pointer brooms for export. As a by-product of the coconut industry, these brooms are relatively low cost but increases as we get to the sub-urban and urban area of Guyana.
Many persons in Guyana still make use of this pointer brooms today, in fact, you may find a pointer broom in every home in Guyana. The next time you see a vendor walking and selling these ‘pointa’ brooms, give a quick shout and support their cause. For some of these men and women, this is how they get their ‘daily bread’. In other words, this is how they provide for their family by making use of local coconut trees. The coconut tree is known as the tree of life and making brooms from it is only one of its uses.
Read one of our previous articles, Coconut trees – the tree of a thousand uses and learn about other uses of this wondrous plant. https://www.thingsguyana.com/coconut-trees-the-tree-of-a-thousand-uses/
Article References:
- https://yourstory.tenement.org/stories/guyana-coconut-broom
- http://guyanachronicle.com/2015/09/15/pomeroon-farmers-producing-pointer-brooms-for-export-as-a-coconut-tree-by-product
- https://aaregistry.org/story/jumping-the-broom-a-short-history/
- https://www.brides.com/story/jumping-the-broom
- Gallery Image: https://www.instructables.com/id/Zero-Budget-Broom-from-Coconut-Tree-Leaves/
