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March 24, 2007

SWEPT CLEAN
TODMAN'S BROOMS

By: ms.cyntje
From Our Mar - Apr 2007 Issue

While browsing the Bordeaux Farmers’ Market, I met a jovial broom-maker by the name of Mr. Justin Todman.  As we chit-chatted he took the time to give me a little history about his brooms.  According to Mr. Todman in the old days, islanders would use homemade brooms for more than just sweeping their homes; these brooms had a political significance as well.  

People would gather to use their brooms in a ceremonial way to sweep out the old politicians in order to make way for the new.   The “sweeping of the broom” concept was also use to warn politicians that were unpopular or corrupt.  So the next time you say “they need to kick that politician out”, instead say “they need to sweep that politician out”; at least they won’t leave as much of mess behind.

Mr. Todman has been making brooms from local palm leaves and birch-berry wood for more than half a century.  A skill he admired and picked up from his father John Todman.  Though he is member a diminishing group of Virgin Islanders dedicated to preserving local handmade crafts, Mr. Todman continues to keep this art form alive.  He updates his handmade brooms and increases their appeal by adding decorative designs.

You can find Mr. Todman at various cultural events around St. Thomas like: the Bordeaux Farmers’ Market, The St. Thomas-St. John Agricultural Fair and the St. Thomas Carnival Cultural Food Fair.  Mr. Todman will always greet you with a smile and he is always willing to share information about this dying art form.