The broom is used as a staff of office of Chiefs in Yakurr. During ceremonial occasions the Obol Lopon and his council of heads of maternal families (beinahs) go on procession holding a well crafted broom stick and waving it magistically.
Also one of the items usually presented to someone who has been honored with a chieftaincy title is a broom stick.
What is a broom?
Soft brooms are used in some cultures chiefly for sweeping walls of cobwebs and spiders, like a “feather duster”, while hard brooms are for rougher tasks like sweeping dirt off sidewalks or concrete floors, or even smoothing and texturing wet concrete.
It is long-handled brush of bristles or twigs, used for sweeping.
What is the use of broom?
Brooms are a symbol of good luck around the world. They sweep away bad fortune and protect against evil. Broom also mean strength and togetherness. It signifies royalty and authority among the Yakurr people.
The broom is resilient, sturdy and tough and if it is put together and bundled nothing can severe it save fire. Along the Yakurr, the broom holds spiritual value, cleanliness and signified the sweeping away of evil spirits and past wrongs.
It is a source of strength, unity of the people and resilience. During some marriage ceremonies, the bride and groom are made to jump over the broom.
In the United States of America, among the African-American communities newly wedded are made to jump over the broom.
By: Okoi Obono-Obla
1 Comment
this tauhhful and educative indeed,
the broom