WHAT GOD HAS PUT TOGETHER
A History Lesson -
"The Significance of Jumping the Broom"
Article by Dr. Tunishai Ford
As we celebrate Black History Month it should, I think it would be befitting to observe a long ancestral tradition that is practiced today in many African American weddings. The tradition of "Jumping the broom" originated in West Africa. It is important that we fully understand the significance of this tradition and why it is performed today. Those who decide to include this important tradition in their wedding ceremonies are displaying an act of spirituality, love, respect, and honor not only to each other but to their extended families as well. "Jumping the Broom" is a symbol of sweeping away the old and welcoming the new, or a symbol of new beginnings. Here is a bit of history behind the tradition of jumping the broom.
Jumping the broom has become one of the most popular African traditions at weddings-traditional and African centered. History tells us that the ancestral roots of this ritual began deep in the heart of Africa. Its original purpose and significance have been lost over the
years because of its association with slavery. This broom ceremony represents the joining of two families, it shows