Some people who hold that belief, only Black folks then and now jumped the broom. And many African Americans think that "jumping the broom" was either created by Black folks during United States slavery or was an traditional African custom. But post- Roots and I believe largely because of its inclusion in that television mini-series, more African Americans have incorporated the custom of jumping the broom into their wedding reception, or their wedding ceremony than ever before. The tradition of jumping the broom was known to African Americans before the bestselling novel & 1977 television mega hit Roots. If you choose to incorporate Jumping the Broom into your wedding ceremony, keep in mind that its rich history is what makes it meaningful, as those who practiced it made do with their circumstances and paved a way for the future that we live in today.Written by Azizi Powell This tradition serves as a reminder of the past and a celebration of the future, and this is why it is so widely used throughout the African diaspora. Jumping the Broom in the 21st century is performed after the couple is pronounced married by the officiant, and it is said to be a transcendental experience. It can be said that this ritual has taken on new meanings: to honor one’s ancestors, to pay homage to one’s homeland and roots, to symbolize resilience and persistence, and to celebrate the future and the binding of one family to another. Now, broom jumping continues to be practiced in Black American and African weddings. Following the Civil War, former slaves were then allowed to register their marital status with the government, but broom jumping continued to prevail as a symbol of ancestral acknowledgment and honor. Although many traditions and customs were lost during the time as Africans and Black Americans were forbidden from practicing their traditional rituals, Jumping the Broom was continued both as an act of protest and a way to legitimize their unions. Script from our Editor’s Wedding June 2012Īfter the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, Jumping the Broom was seen throughout America, performed by slaves who had no legal right to marry. Interestingly, the broom would also determine who would be head of the household by the one who jumped the highest over the broom. During the ceremony, the broom would be waved over the head of the couple to ward off evil spirits, and the couple would later jump over the broom at the end of the wedding. Specifically, the Asante and other Akan cultures practiced Jumping the Broom as the broom symbolizes new beginnings and the act of sweeping represents the sweeping away of past wrongs and removing evil spirits. Though the tradition is convoluted and can be said to have originated in different regions throughout the world, it is no doubt that Africans and Black Americans used broom jumping as a way to legitimize their marriages. The origin of broom jumping can be traced back to the 18th century in Ghana, a country in West Africa. Rather, it is used as a decorative memento, and later passed down to be used again. Either way, this broom is made with meaning and a purpose, and it is not to be used for cleaning after the ceremony. The broom can either be handmade by the families, custom made by a third party, or purchased from a specialty store. To Christians, it is believed that the broom handle represents God, the straw bristles signify the couple’s family, and a ribbon around the broom symbolizes the ties that bind the couple. The broom itself is not your typical broom it is often three feet in length and is decorated with ribbon, lace, flowers, and more.
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Jumping the Broom is a sacred and euphoric tradition, and this is why… Jumping the Broom is a Black American tradition that has been adopted by many cultures throughout the Black diaspora and it symbolizes the couple’s commitment to each other and their household as well as their commitment to a bright and new future together. Traditions are handed down from generation to generation, and they both strengthen family bonds and serve as a way to honor one’s ancestors. Our editors Jumping the Broom in 2012 | Photo by Patrick Pope Family traditions provide familiarity, comfort, and a sense of belonging.