The processing of broom

From the fibres of this extremely hardy shrub, the women of San Paolo produced a very strong and versatile textile fibre.

Sparta, as broom is known in the Arbëresh language within the community of San Paolo Albanese (Shën Palji), is a fibre plant that grows wild and is extremely widespread in the countryside of the Val Sarmento.

From the burst of yellow blossoms in spring, when its scent fills the air, to the green dominance of the stems in autumn, the broom changes its appearance and prepares to be gathered and processed by the women of San Paolo, who have kept an ancient tradition alive, to make cloth, tablecloths, sacks, saddlebags and fabrics for both domestic and agricultural use.

Once gathered and divided into bunches, the broom was boiled in a large cauldron over the open fire, after which the fibre was stripped from it. This fibre, gathered into skeins, was then soaked, repeatedly rinsed and left to dry in the sun, before being carded, spun, bleached and, if desired, dyed, and finally prepared for weaving.

The Museum of Arbëresh Culture has dedicated an entire room to showcasing this extraordinary “knowledge” of the community of San Paolo, allowing it to be preserved for posterity whilst we await opportunities to reinterpret it in a contemporary context.