Jumping For Joy: Crafting Your Own Wedding Broom

Jumping the broom is a custom relating to a wedding ceremony in which the couple jumps over a broom to symbolise their union. The tradition is said to have originated in the 1700s, with several conflicting accounts about the origin of the ritual. Some believe it originated in West Africa, while others claim it originated in Wales. Jumping the broom has been popularised in the media, such as in the novel and miniseries Roots, and has been featured in wedding scenes in TV shows like Grey's Anatomy and Married at First Sight. The broom used in the ritual is usually three feet long with a wooden handle and natural bristles, often customised with decorations like silk ribbons, flowers, or lace.

Choosing a jumping broom

Jumping the broom is a longstanding tradition with complex origins. The earliest accounts of jumping or stepping over a broom to signify marriage date back to the 1700s, when members of the Roma community would marry over a broom as their beliefs prevented them from being officially joined in matrimony in the eyes of the Church.

In the US, jumping the broom has closer ties to slavery. Slaves weren’t afforded even the most fundamental of rights, including the right to legal marriage. As a result, it was common for slaves to jump the broom to declare their commitment to one another, normally in front of witnesses.

Jumping the broom is a very personal choice and not one that should be taken lightly. It’s a ritual that’s becoming increasingly popular among Black couples in the US in particular as a means of honouring their ancestors and as a mark of respect to their legacy.

If you do decide to jump the broom, you could do so within your wedding ceremony but be sure to discuss it with your officiant or celebrant first. Many couples choose to jump the broom at the end of the service to cement their union, often jumping hand in hand with the broom having been laid out by a friend, family member, bridesmaid or groomsman.

The broom is usually three feet long and has a wooden handle with natural bristles. Most couples customise their wedding brooms with silk ribbons, flowers, or lace. You can also ask your guests to write their names on decorative paper to attach to the broom before using it in the ceremony. This is said to symbolise their well-wishes for the newlyweds. It's customary then to save the broom as a keepsake, which you can hang in your home or pass down to future generations.

• Consider the size: The broom should be long enough for both of you to jump over comfortably. A good rule of thumb is to choose a broom that is at least as tall as the tallest person jumping.
• Select a sturdy broom: Look for a broom with a sturdy handle and dense bristles. This will ensure that it can withstand the weight of two people jumping over it without breaking or bending.
• Choose a decorative broom: Many couples opt for a decorative broom that matches their wedding theme. You can find brooms with ribbons, flowers, lace, or other embellishments. If you can't find one that suits your taste, you can always decorate a plain broom yourself.
• Personalise the broom: Consider adding your own personal touches to the broom, such as engraving your initials and wedding date on the handle or incorporating colours or themes from your wedding.
• Make it a family affair: If you have children or other family members who would like to be involved, you can include them in the broom-jumping ceremony. For example, you could have them help decorate the broom or even jump over the broom with you as a symbol of your united family.

Decorating the broom

Ribbons and Lace

Ribbons and lace are a popular choice for decorating the jumping broom. You can choose ribbons in colours that match your wedding theme or that have special significance to you. Lace adds a delicate and elegant touch to the broom.

Flowers

Fresh or artificial flowers can be used to decorate the broom handle. You can choose flowers that complement your wedding bouquet or floral arrangements at the ceremony.

Beading and Pearls

Adding intricate beading or artificial pearls to the ribbons can give your jumping broom a touch of sparkle and elegance.

Guest Wishes

Asking your wedding guests to write their names and well-wishes on decorative paper, which can then be attached to the broom, is a wonderful way to involve your guests in the ritual.

Engraving

Consider engraving your initials and wedding date on the broom handle. This adds a personal and memorable touch to the decoration.

Fabric and Foliage

Using fabric and foliage that match your wedding theme or colours can enhance the overall aesthetic of the jumping broom.

Heirloom Items

If you have access to a family heirloom broom, you can incorporate it into your ceremony by decorating it with new ribbons, flowers, or other meaningful items.

The meaning of jumping the broom

Jumping the broom is a wedding custom that originated in the 1700s and has been practised by various cultures worldwide, including African Americans, Black Canadians, the British Romani community, and the Irish. The ritual involves a couple jumping over a broom to symbolise their union, leaving behind the past, and starting a new life together.

Roots in West Africa and the British Isles

The tradition of jumping the broom is believed to have roots in West Africa, particularly Ghana, where brooms are considered to hold spiritual value. In West African weddings, brooms are waved over the couple's heads to ward off evil spirits and signify a new beginning. The ritual was also practised by the British Romani community in Wales, known as "Besom Weddings", as their marriages were not recognised by the church. Jumping the broom was also a custom in Ireland and other parts of the British Isles.

A Symbol of Unity and a New Beginning

Jumping the broom symbolises the union of two people in marriage, marking the beginning of their life together. It represents a sweeping away of the past and a fresh start. The act of jumping over the broom can also signify the joining of two families and a way to honour ancestors. In some cultures, it is believed that whoever jumps the highest will be the decision-maker in the household, adding a playful element to the ritual.

A Tradition of Resilience and Resistance

For enslaved Africans in the United States and those of African descent in the American South and rural North America, jumping the broom took on a deeper significance. Denied the right to legally marry, enslaved people adopted this ritual as a way to publicly declare their commitment to each other. Even after the end of slavery, some Black couples continued to jump the broom as a symbol of solidarity with their ancestors and as a way to honour their cultural heritage.

A Resurgence in Modern Weddings

The tradition of jumping the broom experienced a resurgence in the 1960s and 1970s, particularly among Black couples in the United States and Canada. This revival was influenced by its depiction in popular culture, such as Alex Haley's novel and miniseries "Roots". Today, many Black couples choose to incorporate jumping the broom into their wedding ceremonies as a way to pay homage to their ancestors and cultural legacy. The broom can be customised with decorations and passed down through generations, adding a personal touch to the celebration.

The history of jumping the broom

Jumping the broom is a custom that is most widespread among African Americans and Black Canadians. The tradition involves a couple jumping over a broom to symbolise their union.

However, others claim that the tradition originated in Wales, where Roma people's marriages were not recognised by the church. These couples would have "Besom Weddings", jumping over a broom to get married. To annul the marriage, the couple would jump over the broom backward. Some accounts also note that the broom was placed as a hurdle, and if either party did not make it over, the marriage was considered invalid.

Jumping the broom was also practised by enslaved people in the United States, who were often not permitted to marry legally. It is disputed whether this custom was self-imposed or forced upon them by slaveholders. After emancipation, some Black people continued the practice if an officiant was not available, later making their marriages legal.

The tradition fell out of favour and was revived in the 1960s and 70s when Black writers featured it in works such as Alex Haley's Roots. Today, many African and African American couples include jumping the broom at the end of their wedding ceremonies as a tribute to their ancestors and legacy.

Jumping the broom at your wedding

Jumping the broom is a wedding tradition with a long history, and it's becoming more and more popular for couples to include it in their ceremonies. The ritual is said to symbolise a new beginning and the sweeping away of the past, as well as the joining of two families.

The History of Jumping the Broom

The origins of the ritual are disputed. Some believe it originated in West Africa, where brooms were used to ward off evil spirits. The broom would be waved over the couple's heads and then placed on the ground for them to jump over together. During the period of African enslavement in the United States, enslaved people would jump over the broom to symbolise their union, as they were not legally allowed to marry.

Other sources claim that the tradition originated in Wales, where the Roma community's marriages were not recognised by the church. These couples would have "Besom Weddings", jumping over a broom to signify their union.

How to Jump the Broom at Your Wedding

The broom used in the ritual is usually around three feet long and has a wooden handle with natural bristles. Couples often customise their brooms with decorations such as silk ribbons, flowers, or lace. You can also involve your guests by asking them to write their names or a message on decorative paper, which is then attached to the broom.

The broom can be placed on the ground in front of the couple, who then jump over it together, holding hands. Alternatively, the couple can jump over each other's brooms either individually or at the same time.

Jumping the broom is usually done after the couple has exchanged vows and said "I do". The officiant or celebrant may provide a prayer, poem, or a brief explanation of the ritual's meaning before the jump.

After the Ceremony

The broom can be saved as a keepsake, passed down to future generations, or displayed in your home as a reminder of your special day.

A Note on Sensitivity

While the tradition has been incorporated into modern weddings as a way to honour ancestors and legacy, it is important to acknowledge its roots in slavery and the ongoing debate surrounding its use. Some people believe it is archaic and don't like its ties to slavery, while others see it as a way to reclaim the past. Ultimately, the decision to include jumping the broom in a wedding ceremony is a personal choice.

Frequently asked questions