with Relationship Speaker/Author/Coach...
Larry James
Jumping the Broom History
An African American Tradition
This is a ceremony dating back to the 1600s and derived from Africa. Dating back to slave days, jumping
the broom together has been part of weddings for couples who want to honor that tradition. Some couples choose to incorporate it into
traditional and non-traditional ceremonies.
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The "Jumping the Broom" is a ceremony in which the bride and groom, either at the ceremony or at the reception, signify their entrance
into a new life and their creation of a new family by symbolically "sweeping away" their former single lives, former
problems and concerns, and jumping over the broom to enter upon a new adventure as wife and husband.
Jumping the broom or in some cases jumping over an imaginary line is an African ritual, or tradition still
being practiced in some parts of West Africa. Jumping the broom is not associated with slavery. Enslaved Africans,
as an affirmation of their cultural heritage practiced it during slavery in North America.
This "leap" into a new life (marriage as wife and husband is performed in the presence of families and friends.
You can be as creative as you want when planning for this special ceremony.
The broom has both symbolic and spiritual importance in the African culture. The ritual itself was created by our ancestors during slavery.
Because slaves could not legally marry, they created their own rituals to honor their unions. Some say broom jumping comes from an
African tribal marriage ritual of placing sticks on the ground representing the couple's new home.
The straws of the broom represent family; the handle represents the Almighty; the ribbon represents the tie that binds the couple together.
A fully decorated broom can be purchased at ethnic stores, online, or a regular household broom will suffice. If you decide to use
your own broom and decorate it yourself, be sure it coordinates with your wedding colors. Using your own broom can also be a
great bonding activity for the bridesmaids, perhaps the night, or week before the wedding.
Another idea is to have a basket full of colorful ribbon pieces at the wedding or reception and allow guests to tie ribbons around
the broom before the ceremony begins. This allows the audience to participate, which is in keeping with the African tradition
of community involvement.
Chose a time before the ceremony when each guest can write their name or initials on a ribbon and tie their ribbon on the wedding broom.
When you jump the broom you'll be jumping with the good wishes and prayers of all of your guest. It also allows you to have a wonderful keepsake after your
special day, remembering those that were there to witness it.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, after the kiss and presentation of the couple to their guests, one of the
attendants produces the broom or a special person from the audience brings the broom and places it in the path of
the wedding couple. They then jump over the broom on their way to the recessional.
The broom used in the wedding ceremony has often been a beautifully hand made broom containing objects meaningful to the couple that
they then keep as a momento of their wedding day and to grace the newlyweds hearth or hallway.
Couples celebrate this rich cultural heritage, irrespective of race, religion, and nationality. The most important thing is it's significance;
- Honoring and respect of your ancestors, their legacy, and your rich African and African American heritage.
- Coming together of both families, and commitment to each other as wife and husband.
- It represents strength, love, togetherness, loyalty, and respect which is essential for a successful marriage.
This ceremony can also be performed at an anniversary or a renewing of vows ceremony.
To research this African American tradition and for a list of books about "Jumping the Broom," click
here.
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