Superstitions Sweep: The Meaning Behind A Broom At A Wedding

Jumping the broom is a wedding tradition with a complex history that spans centuries and continents. The custom is most prevalent among African Americans and Black Canadians, but it has also been observed in Welsh, Scottish, Roma, and Irish cultures. The tradition involves a couple jumping over a broomstick together or separately after exchanging their vows. While the exact origins of this ritual are disputed, it is believed to have started in either West Africa or Wales, before being adopted in the American South during the 18th and 19th centuries as a marriage ceremony for enslaved people who were prohibited from legally marrying.

Jumping the broom is a wedding custom with roots in the African diaspora and slavery

The custom is believed to have originated in West Africa, specifically Ghana, where brooms were used to ward off evil spirits during wedding ceremonies. The broom was waved over the newlyweds and their parents' heads, and then placed on the ground for the couple to jump over together. The person who jumped the highest was playfully designated as the household decision-maker. This practice was brought to the United States and the customs of enslaved African Americans through the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

During the era of slavery in the United States, enslaved people were often not permitted to marry legally. Jumping the broom became a way for them to publicly declare their commitment to each other and their intention to settle down in a marriage relationship. This tradition continued even after the abolition of slavery, with some Black people choosing to jump the broom if an officiant was not available, later legalising their marriage.

In modern times, the tradition has been revived and reclaimed by the Black community as a way to pay homage to their ancestors and African culture. It is often seen as a symbol of unity, love, and a new beginning, with the broom representing the sweeping away of the past. While some Black couples view broomstick weddings as archaic due to their ties to slavery, others have chosen to sidestep this association and incorporate the ritual into their weddings as a way of blessing their marriage.

The tradition is thought to have originated in West Africa, specifically Ghana

Jumping the broom is a wedding custom in which the newly married couple jumps over a broom. The tradition is most common among African Americans and Black Canadians, although it has also been observed in other cultures.

In some cases, the couple would jump over the broom together, and whoever jumped the highest would be designated as the primary decision-maker in the household. This aspect of the tradition added a playful element to the ceremony.

While the specific origins of the tradition are debated, with some arguing for a British or Welsh origin, the Ghanaian custom of waving brooms over newlyweds is notable. This practice has been interpreted as a way to ward off evil spirits and symbolise the couple's commitment to their shared home.

It was used as a marriage ceremony for enslaved people in the US in the 1800s

Jumping the broom, or jumping the besom, is a custom relating to a wedding ceremony in which the couple jumps over a broom. This ritual was used as a marriage ceremony for enslaved people in the US in the 1800s, specifically in the 1840s and 1850s, as they were often not permitted to marry legally.

The custom originated in mid-19th-century antebellum slavery in the United States. It is speculated that the custom may have originated in West Africa, specifically Ghana, where there is a custom of waving brooms over the heads of newlyweds and their parents. However, historian Tyler D. Parry considers the Ghanaian connection weak, noting that the ritual used by enslaved people has more similarities to the customs in the British Isles.

During the time of slavery in the United States, most marriages between enslaved black people were not legally recognized as marriage was a legal civil contract that required the consent of free persons. As a result, the enslaved community developed its own methods of distinguishing committed unions from casual ones, and the ceremonial jumping of the broom was an open declaration of settling down in a marriage relationship. Jumping the broom was done before witnesses as a public, ceremonial announcement that a couple chose to become as nearly married as was then allowed.

There are differing accounts of how the custom came to be practiced by enslaved people. Some sources suggest that people who were enslaved decided to jump the broom themselves since brooms were typically available. Other sources argue that enslavers would force enslaved people to get married in this manner.

After the end of slavery, some Black people continued to jump the broom if an officiant was not readily available, later making their marriage legal. The practice of jumping the broom fell out of popularity when Black people were free to marry legally, but it survived in some communities and was revived in the 20th century due to the novel and miniseries Roots.

The broomstick was placed at the entrance of a door and the couple jumped over it together

Jumping the broom is a custom that originated in the 18th century and is most commonly practised by Black couples to pay homage to their ancestors and African culture. The tradition is thought to have begun in either West Africa or Wales.

West African Origin Theory

In West Africa, specifically Ghana, it is believed that brooms were waved over the newlyweds and their parents' heads to ward off evil spirits. The broom was then placed on the ground for the couple to jump over together. This custom is said to have made its way to the United States through the African Diaspora and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Brooms were readily available to enslaved people in the United States, and jumping over the broom became a way for them to get married since they were not legally allowed to wed.

Welsh Origin Theory

In Wales, the marriages of Roma people were not recognised by the church. As a result, they would perform "Besom Weddings", jumping over a broom to get married. The broom was placed at an angle by the doorway, and the groom would jump over it first, followed by the bride. If either of them touched the broom, it was considered a sign that the union was not meant to be. To annul the marriage, the couple would jump over the broom backward.

The Modern Practice

Today, the jumping of the broom is often performed during Black weddings as a nod to the past and a way to honour ancestors and African culture. It is usually done right after the couple says "I do" and before they walk up the aisle together. The broom is often decorated with ribbons, flowers, lace, or the couple's initials, and is sometimes passed down as a family heirloom. The act symbolises sweeping away the old to make room for a new beginning and is intended as a blessing for the marriage.

Jumping the broom is a way to pay homage to ancestors and African culture

Jumping the broom is a wedding custom that has been practised for centuries by various cultures worldwide, including the Black community. The tradition involves a couple jumping over a broomstick together or separately, usually after exchanging vows. The broom is often decorated with flowers and ribbons and is sometimes passed down through generations.

The history of jumping the broom is complex and disputed, with several theories about its origin. Some believe it originated in West Africa, where brooms were used to ward off evil spirits and bless a couple with a long and happy marriage. In this tradition, family members would wave a broom over the newlyweds' heads and then place it on the ground for them to jump over together. It was believed that whoever jumped the highest would be the decision-maker in the household.

Another theory suggests that the custom originated in Wales, where Roma people's marriages were not recognised by the church. These couples would participate in "Besom Weddings", jumping over the broom to get married. To annul the marriage, they would jump over the broom backward. This practice later spread to the American South with Welsh migration in the 19th century.

During the era of slavery in the United States, enslaved people, who were often not permitted to marry legally, adopted this ritual as a way to solemnise their unions. While some sources claim that enslaved people chose to perform this ceremony themselves, others argue that it was forced upon them by their enslavers. After emancipation, some Black couples continued to jump the broom, considering their previous ceremony valid, even if they later made their marriage legal.

Jumping the broom is a way for Black couples to pay homage to their ancestors and African culture. By incorporating this tradition into their weddings, they honour the struggles of their forebears and reclaim their heritage. The custom is a symbol of resilience and a testament to the enduring legacy of African culture in the face of oppression.

Today, the tradition of jumping the broom is a choice that each couple makes, weighing its historical and cultural significance. While some embrace it as a way to connect with their ancestral roots, others may find its association with slavery troubling. Ultimately, the decision to include this ritual in a wedding ceremony is an individual one, influenced by the couple's personal beliefs and connection to the tradition.

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