Jumping the Broom

Broom Jumping has become one of the most popular African traditions at weddings - traditional and African-centered. According to Harriette Cole in her book, "Jumping the Broom." 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 jumping of the broom is a symbol of sweeping away of the old and welcoming the new, or a symbol of a new beginning.

Today the ceremony can be performed at the wedding after the minister pronounces the couple man and wife or at the reception just after the bridal party enters the reception area.

How to perform a broom jumping ceremony?

Supplies: Broom, Ribbon
A fully decorated broom can be purchased at ethnic stores, or a regular household broom will suffice. Broom sizes will vary, but it doesn't matter which you choose. 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.

Feel free to use bows, flowers (artificial or real), or other trinkets to make it unique. But don't overdo it. You'll probably want this for a keepsake in your home. Another idea is to have a basket full of ribbon pieces at the wedding or reception and allow guests to tie ribbons around the broom before you begin the ceremony. This allows the audience to participate, which is in keeping with the African tradition of community involvement.

The Ceremony
Have your host ask guests to form a circle around the couple as they stand in front of the broom on the floor.

The host should discuss the symbolism behind the broom as it relates to the joining of the couple and the combining of two families, and the need for the community to support the couple. Meanwhile have the couple hold the broom handle together and sweep around in a circle until the host or designated person is finished talking.

The groom should then place the broom on the floor and hold the bride's hand.

Have everyone count 1, 2, 3... Jump!

For more information about Broom Jumping, check out Harriette Cole's "Jumping the Broom: The African-American Wedding Planner" and "Jumping the Broom: Wedding Workbook." It's an excellent resource for anyone planning a wedding traditional or African-centered.