Azịza – Broom in Igbo Culture
In Igbo culture, Azịza (broom) holds deep symbolic meaning. It is not only used to sweep dirt but to clear spiritual blockages, reset the energy of a home, and prepare sacred spaces for communion with the divine. Every morning, sweeping with Azịza is more than a chore—it is a ritual of order, a declaration that this space is awake, alive, and ready.
In traditional settings, Azịza is often used to purify compounds, shrines, and ancestral altars. Before any spiritual rite or offering, the area is first cleansed with the broom—not just to remove debris, but to ensure the space is spiritually open and aligned. During naming ceremonies or the return of a newborn, women sweep the space as a way to welcome the child into peace and balance.
Azịza also appears in Igbo proverbs and prayers, where sweeping is symbolic of removing curses, bad luck, or lingering conflict. Some rituals involve sweeping from the inside out—signaling the release of negative energy and the invitation of harmony. Whether made from palm fronds, herbs, or dried grasses, the broom is respected for its quiet authority—a humble but powerful agent of restoration.
