How to Jump the Broom for an African-American Wedding

Jumping the broom is a popular African-American wedding tradition that symbolizes the sweeping away of the old and the welcoming of the new.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Brooms

1. Select a time to perform this tradition. Either at the very end of the ceremony or during the reception would be appropriate.

2. Call your guests to gather around you and your new spouse.

3. Place the broom on the floor and stand in front of it.

4. Ask a family member or friend to narrate the history of this custom. It stems back to the time when slaves were prevented from marrying. They developed this ritual as a way to unite in ceremony.

5. Suggest that the narrator explain to guests that you are re-creating the ceremony as a way to represent the joining together of two lives and the need for support of the marriage from the entire community.

6. Hold the broom with your spouse as the narrator shares this important information.

7. Sweep the broom in a circle together until the story is finished.

8. Place the broom on the floor and hold hands with your spouse.

9. Ask the guests to count out loud to three.

10. Jump over the broom together.

Tips & Warnings

• Read more about the interesting history of this custom to better understand its origins. Do a keyword search online to find more information about it.
• Add your own special touches to make the ritual have meaning to you as a couple. For instance, you might ask your narrator to share some information during the ceremony about how you met, what you see in each other and what performing this tradition means to you both personally.

[eringobraugh]

on 9/25/2009 Although brooms have been used in African wedding ceremonies, the ritual of actually jumping the broom is celtic. The world has conveniently forgotten the millions of Irish slaves that were labaled as "convicts" just so that the English could acquire their lands and then "transported" to America as field laborers. These Irish slaves eventualy disappeared, not through gaining their freedom, but by intermarrying with their ancients traditions with the African slaves. It only makes sense that remnants of their existence still remain in accent, artistic expression, and ritual."Jumping the Broom" is the tradition of a new people, African Americans, who seem to have forgotten their white mothers and fathers but not their influence. Just listen to the accent of many of the peoples of the Carribean; you will still hear the lilt of the accent of their Irish ancestors. White skin may quickly d...

[eringobraugh]

on 9/25/2009 The tradition of actually jumping a broom the signify marriage is an Irish/celtic tradition. Given the millions of Irish slaves that were among the first to be incorporated into the slave community, and have subsequently disappeared from viisble indentification, where would any reasonble person think that the tradition of "Jumping the Broom" to simbolize a wedding contract came from. It's Irish origins do not diminish the signifiance from an African-American standpoint, it just adds to the richness and beauty African-Irish-American cultural origins. Just because you don't see it in the skin, doesn't mean the Irish heritage isn't there. Recognize, heal, Celebrate the whole truth.

[Annabel]

on 10/13/2008 COUNTIUATION OF 10-13-2008 IY WOULDNT ALL FIT :D
Although I agree yes it was a ritual used during slavery, which may have been forced on the slaves from their masters or perhaps something they picked up from them, and yes Africa has been referred to as the mother land so yes perhaps it was practiced there or has similar rituals there, but it was also used very often by MY ANCESTORS the Irish and Scottish people, who suffered longer and before the Africans did from slavery, there needs to be more sites that also state this is not a ritual for just one people, but in fact has many origins and many different practices other then African American.

[Annabel]

on 10/13/2008 It makes me angry when every time i research "broom jumping" all that follows is "african american" while yes this was used in the South for poor folks including slaves to represent a marriage that they could not legally have had or afford, this is also traced by to Celtic/Welsh tradition and was used not just by blacks like everyone refers to today, but by many whites and other ethnic cultures. There is no real evidence that this was originally an african ritual besides simular findings in Ghana Africa where brooms were waved above the heads of newlyweds and their parents. Jumping the broom is also a large part of Pagan tradition, a religion that dates back before Christianity. Allthough I agree yes it was a ritual used during slavery, which may have been forced on the slaves from their masters or perhaps something they picked up from them, and yes Africa has been referred to as the mot

on 3/29/2006 Many craft stores sell brooms made of sticks or twigs that can be decorated to match your wedding theme.

When we eloped on the beach in Jamaica we didn't plan to jump the broom at all. But at our reception back in the States, my Aunt surprised us with a beautiful broom decorated with real seashells and ivory ribbons, the same color as my wedding dress. As we entered the reception room, she surprised us with the broom to jump!

Unlike my wedding bouquet I had to leave in Jamaica, our seashell wedding broom is something I will keep forever. It's displayed in our living room and looks as beautiful as the day we jumped!