Junior Rasmussen
Jumping the broom is a wedding tradition that has been practised for decades, particularly in the African American community and the UK. The tradition is believed to have originated in West Africa, where brooms were used to ward off evil spirits. In the US, enslaved people who were not allowed to marry used the ritual of jumping over a broom to symbolise their union. In modern weddings, Black couples participate in the custom of jumping over the broom after exchanging their vows. The broom is also used to symbolise a threshold, leaping from one's old single life into a new married life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | West Africa, Britain, or Europe |
| History | A way for enslaved people in the US and Canada to get married since they couldn't legally wed. It was also practised by the Roma people in Wales, whose marriages were not recognised by the church. |
| Symbolism | The broomstick represents a new beginning and the threshold between past and present. In Christian ceremonies, the broom handle represents God, the bristles represent the couple's families, and a ribbon symbolises the ties that bind the couple. |
| Ritual | The couple jumps over the broom after exchanging vows. The broom is placed on the ground, and the couple jumps over it together or separately. |
| Variations | In some variations, the broom is held and waved over the couple's heads to ward off evil spirits. Another variation involves the couple sweeping the ground in front of them with the broom to symbolise sweeping away their former single lives. |
| Modern Practice | Jumping the broom is now a popular tradition among African Americans and Black Canadians to pay homage to their heritage and background. |
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What You'll Learn
Jumping the broom's history
Jumping the broom is a custom relating to a wedding ceremony in which the couple jumps over a broom. The tradition is most widespread among African Americans and Black Canadians. It is also practised by the Roma people in Wales, England and Scotland, and has been attested in Irish weddings.
The custom's origin is often disputed. Some claim that it began in West Africa, specifically Ghana, where brooms were used to ward off evil spirits. In this tradition, family or community members would wave a broom over the couple's heads, and then place it on the ground for them to jump over. However, historian Tyler D. Parry contests this, arguing that the ritual used by enslaved people in the Southern United States has more similarities to customs in the British Isles. He highlights the cultural exchanges between poor white Southerners and enslaved African Americans, and the fact that both groups used similar matrimonial forms revolving around a broomstick.
Dianne M. Stewart, a professor of religion and African American studies, also believes that the custom originated in Europe and was introduced to enslaved Africans by white slave owners. Stewart traces the tradition back to pre-Christian Celtic and Roma groups, and Welsh couples who brought the ritual to America in the 1800s. This is supported by C.W. Sullivan III, who claims that the custom originated among the Welsh people and was known as a "besom wedding". Local variations of the custom developed in England and Wales, with the groom jumping over the broom first, followed by the bride.
The tradition was popularised in the 1970s by the novel and miniseries Roots, which depicted an enslaved couple cementing their wedding vows by jumping the broom. Today, some Black couples continue the tradition as a symbol of solidarity with their ancestors.
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The broom's significance
The broom is a symbol of the home and represents the threshold between the past and present, a symbol of new beginnings. Jumping the broom is a way of acknowledging the resilience and beauty of ancestors and paying homage to a couple's heritage or background.
In Christian ceremonies, the broom handle represents God, the straw bristles signify the couple's families, and a ribbon around the broom symbolises the ties that bind the couple. The ribbon is also said to ward off evil spirits. In some cultures, the highest jumper is considered the decision-maker in the household.
The tradition of jumping the broom is believed to have originated in West Africa, specifically Ghana, where local brooms were believed to hold spiritual value. However, some historians argue that the tradition actually originated in Wales, where Roma people's marriages were not recognised by the church, so they would have "Besom Weddings". In southwest England, Wales, and the border areas between Scotland and England, couples would jump over broomsticks placed across their thresholds to officialise their union.
In the context of enslaved people in the Southern United States during the 1840s and 1850s, jumping the broom was a way for couples to get married since they could not legally wed. After slavery was abolished, some Black people continued the tradition of jumping the broom, even if they planned to make their marriage legal at a later date.
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The ritual's popularity
Jumping the broom is a popular ritual among African Americans and Black Canadians. It is also practised by the Roma people in Wales, the English Romanichals, and the Welsh Kale. The custom is believed to have originated in the mid-19th century among enslaved people in the United States, who were often not permitted to marry legally. It was popularised in the 1970s by the novel and miniseries Roots. The ritual involves a couple jumping over a broomstick together or separately to seal their union. The broom is placed on the ground, and the couple jumps over it after exchanging vows and being pronounced married by an officiant.
The popularity of the ritual among African Americans and Black Canadians is due to its association with their ancestors. It is believed that the ritual was created during a time when Black couples did not have marital rights in the United States. By performing this ritual, couples can honour their ancestors and celebrate Black love. The broomstick wedding conveyed how African descendants shared the profound joy of romantic love amid incessant violation and trauma.
The ritual is also said to have originated in Wales, where the Roma people's marriages were not recognised by the church. These couples would have "Besom Weddings," referring to a type of broom. At these weddings, couples would jump over the broom to get married. Additionally, to annul their union, they would perform the same action in reverse. Some accounts even note that brooms were placed as a hurdle for couples to jump over separately, and if either party did not make it over the broom, the union was considered annulled.
The popularity of the ritual among the Roma people in Wales and the English Romanichals is due to their desire for a symbolic ritual. The broom was chosen because it has been a symbol of the home for many different cultures and represents the threshold between the past and present, signifying new beginnings. The ritual also allowed these communities to have a form of marriage ceremony when their unions were not recognised by the church.
The popularity of jumping the broom as a wedding ritual can be attributed to its deep-rooted cultural and historical significance for different communities. It is a way for couples to pay homage to their heritage and background and to include their guests in a fun and theatrical way. The ritual has evolved to include modern designs and aesthetics, and it continues to be passed down from generation to generation.
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How to incorporate it into a wedding
Jumping the broom is a wedding tradition with a long history, especially among African Americans and Black Canadians. It originated in the mid-19th century in the context of slavery in the United States, where enslaved people were often not permitted to marry legally.
Choose a meaningful broom:
The broom can be decorated to have deep and meaningful significance to the couple. For example, colourful ribbons can be added to represent the members of the new family being created through the wedding. Alternatively, guests can be invited to write their names on decorative paper, which can then be attached to the broom before the ceremony, symbolising their well-wishes for the marriage.
Include an explanation of the tradition:
The jumping of the broom is a ritual steeped in history and meaning. At the wedding, the officiant can provide a prayer, poem, or a brief explanation of the tradition's significance. This can help guests understand and appreciate the importance of the act.
Involve guests in the ritual:
Jumping the broom is not only a meaningful act for the couple but can also be a fun and engaging way to involve guests in the ceremony. After the couple sweeps the ground together in front of them, guests can be invited to participate in a countdown, cheering, and clapping as the couple makes their jump.
Symbolise new beginnings:
The act of jumping over the broom represents a threshold between the past and present, symbolising new beginnings. This can be emphasised by explaining that the ritual signifies sweeping away former single lives, past problems, and previous cares. It also signifies the joining of two families and can be a respectful nod to ancestors.
Make it a surprise:
Incorporating the jumping of the broom into the wedding ceremony can be a delightful surprise for guests, adding a touch of theatre and amusement to the celebration. This unexpected element can leave a lasting impression on those in attendance.
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The broom's design
The brooms used in wedding ceremonies are often designed with specific colours, flowers, and ribbons that hold significance for the couple. For example, Hannah and Chris's wedding broom was decorated with seven colourful ribbons, each representing a member of their new family. The broomstick itself can also be adorned with ribbons, such as blue or gold, symbolising the ties that bind the couple together. In Christian ceremonies, the broom handle represents God, and the bristles of the broom represent the couple's families.
Some couples choose to use a traditional broom design, while others opt for a more modern aesthetic that reflects their wedding theme or personal style. For instance, a tropical floral design for a wedding in the tropics or a goth-inspired design for a gothic-themed wedding. Brooms can be purchased, passed down through generations, or gifted to the couple.
It is also a popular practice to have guests write their names on decorative paper, which is then attached to the broom before the ceremony. This represents the loved ones' well-wishes for the marriage. In some cases, an elderly woman parades around the couple with a specially prepared broom adorned with ribbons, soliciting prayers for the preservation of their marriage.
The act of sweeping the ground with the broom before jumping over it is also significant. This symbolises the sweeping away of the couple's former single lives, past problems, and cares, marking a new beginning.
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Frequently asked questions
Jumping the broom is a wedding ritual that is believed to have originated in West Africa, where brooms were used to ward off evil spirits. It was also practised by the pre-Christian Roma and Celtic communities in the British Isles, and later by enslaved people in the American South who were not permitted to marry legally. Today, it is popular among African Americans and Black Canadians as a way to pay homage to their heritage.
Jumping the broom symbolises the transition from being single to married life. The broom itself also holds symbolic meaning. The handle often represents God, the bristles represent the couple's families, and the ribbon tied around it symbolises the union of the couple.
It is recommended to make your wedding broom a month or two before your wedding day. This way, you can easily strip the leaves off the branches and select the nicest ones during the winter.
You can make a wedding broom by using a combination of strong fishing line and hot glue. You can add decorative touches such as feathers and flowers to match your bouquet. The broom can then be decorated with ribbons, cloth, wire or twine.
