Comments on How to Jump the Broom for an African-American Wedding

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...

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.

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.

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

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