Broom-maker Jahdon makes clean sweep into fashion with accessory collection
Published:Saturday | July 27, 2024 | 12:05 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
Broomie Broomie! This lively chant has been echoed from many streets across the island, in an effort to keep this rich local cleaning tradition alive. In the face of tragic circumstances, recording artiste and veteran broom-maker, Jahdon, found renewed purpose in the most unique creation. Before he knew it, business ‘broomed’ with a clean sweep into fashion.
Currently, the business has four layers: the functional brooms, souvenir brooms, fine art (wall art) brooms and jewellery brooms. And making waves on the accessories scene is the Queen Sweep earring collection. The miniature paired best sellers are available in three signature styles: in its original local thatch look; painted in the reggae colours of red, green and gold, which are also the colours of the Rastafarian flag or the nation’s colours of black, green and gold.
Similar to the broom-making, it was important for Jahdon to create a movement that would keep the heritage alive in every sense. So, what better way to do this than by going all the way in paying homage to the land he loves.
Jahdon, whose real name is Oshane Mamby, explained he grew up in the community of Canaan Heights in Clarendon that specialises in brooms. “There is a cottage industry in Canaan Heights that makes brooms. And it was there that I learned and developed the skill. My mother and aunties know how to make them and to this day, I have an uncle who sells brooms,” the owner and creator for Broomie LLC told Saturday Living.
He recalled using this trade of broom-making to send himself to school, noting that the broom taught him about business and self-reliance.
As he got older and began pursuing music, the broom business stayed on the journey with him. That was, until the global pandemic changed life as he knew it forever. “In 2020, I did an album and on that album, there was a song called Broomie. I was in Florida just before the pandemic, so when it hit, I had to stay there,” he revealed.
He shared further that his plans to send down all the material there to make the brooms didn’t pan out, and because he was unable to do the music work that landed him in the States in the first place, he had no choice but to take his broom business international.
Upon discovering that many overseas had never actually seen a broom being made before, Jahdon put his talent to work. And many were impressed by his craftsmanship. So much so that they began making requests from all over for orders. His aim was to figure out how to take the authentic house and yard brooms international, and there it was, playing out in an unlikely yet exciting fashion.
Progressing from the big broom to the hand broom, he saw that people would place the latter on the dashboard of their cars. This wasn’t far-fetched since hand brooms were also considered car brooms.
The journey took him back to Jamaica where the unthinkable happened. “I ended up losing my daughter, my first born,” he lamented, adding that within that time all he could do to keep his mind occupied was to make brooms. He also noticed that during that time, the brooms he was making were going smaller and smaller in size.
“I keep on shrinking the broom. I made a chain, just for myself. Then, I made a keyring and the idea came up to make fridge magnets and other trinkets that tourists can come and buy so that they would have something to remember Jamaica by. Then one day, my empress asked me how I could get the broom a little bit smaller to make an earring,” he said.
One day, Jahdon made the first pair of earrings using silver thatch material and his partner in love adored the accessory. He went on to make more pairs for his family, the broom ladies to be specific. When he saw the positive responses, he began to make it for others and just like that, business ‘broomed’ into style.
Although he has a long way to go, Jahdon is grateful for the heartwarming feedback he has received from others about his jewellery line. If his recent participation in the Christmas in July artisan expo is anything to go by, customers were immensely impressed by his beautiful display of authentic Jamaican jewellery.
Thankful for his queen who continues to be by his side and support him through his sweeping pursuits, Jahdon hopes to take his products worldwide, make his brand a household name and clean up the culture through music and fashion. Additionally, his goal is to train others and revive the art of broom-making, which is becoming a dying trade.
You can find signature statement pieces on his website jahdon.com and at all Things Jamaican locations.