In Mauritius there is always someone, somewhere, sweeping? The favourite time seems to be early morning when roads are quiet and shopkeepers prepare for a new day. As they sweep, they seem in deep reflection. This peaceful time seems to prepare the mind.

Some people sweep with their left hand or their right one; some with one hand behind their backs; some with both hands. Can they help but love the way the broom glides over different surfaces, sweeping up after meals, storms, busy days; tropical debris: leaves, flowers, sand and red earth; crumbs missed by birds, left-over lunches not scavenged by dogs. Swept away are traces of past good times: wrappers, plastic bottles and broken glass?

There are brooms for every job. Traditional Mauritian brooms come in many shapes and sizes. They are found in supermarkets and shops. One craftsman in Bazaar Veerapen shop in Grand-Bay, Louis Roland La Brosse (this really is his name!) has been making brooms since 1954. «Pirate» or «Lamok», as he is affectionately called, continues to collect his materials and sews up the brooms himself admitting it is a dying art?

There are four types of brooms, all made up of natural local materials. The craftsman differentiates the types by the colour of the plastic strap used to hold them together.

The «tam» broom has wiry bristles like flat fettuccine noodles. It is great for sweeping medium to large debris pieces. Its bristles are stiff and its stalks collected from forests. The «timil» broom is feathery and the grass to make it is collected once a year from mountain slopes. The «fatak» broom is bushy, similar to the feathery texture of the «timil» broom but wider. Its bristles glide over ceramic tiles like silk and pick up fine dust easily. Small brown seeds fall as you use it, but you simply sweep them as you go. Many Mauritians use it as decorative plant or hedge in front of their houses. The «balie coco» is distinctive because of its «drinking straw» like dark brown bristles taken from the inner shaft of coconut leaves. It is sturdy and used to sweep up large pieces of street debris or for clearing soil in flower beds. About 24 inches long it looks like a witch?s broomstick when attached to a long wooden handle.

These «balie» can be taken home as a souvenir! They are a sign of perpetual optimism, Mauritian style! Just remember there is always a tomorrow and you can have a beautiful broom to greet it!

<B>Angela KEESSOONDYAL</B>