WHAT GOD HAS PUT TOGETHER
respect and pays homage to those who came before us and paved the way. Therefore, it should be practiced with honor for your ancestors and the beauty of our rich heritage.
During the slave "transitions" we were not allowed to practice many of the traditional rituals of our past, therefore, much of our heritage was lost during this time. However, a few were considered harmless and were allowed. Today "Broom Jumping" is a ritual, handed down from generation to generation to remind us of a time when our vows were not legally sanctioned. During slavery, our ancestors sought the legitimacy of marriage by jumping over the broom and into the bonds of domesticity. For our ancestors, this small ritual was a legal and binding act connecting them with the heritage of the homeland and giving legitimacy, dignity, and strength to their unions.
In their eyes, this union was now sanctioned by "the Almighty" It is said that broom jumping comes from an African Tribal Marriage Ritual of placing sticks on the ground representing the couple's new home together. It has also been said that the spray of the broom represents all of us scattered and the handle represents the Almighty who holds us together...... 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. Should you decide to incorporate this wonderful tradition in your wedding remember to do it with the honor and dignity it represents. This information came from an article written by "The Sophisticated Affair". For more information about the significance of jumping the broom and to help plan your Afro-eccentric wedding ceremony, visit www.african-wedding.com.
" During the slave "transitions" we were not allowed to practice many of the traditional rituals of our past, therefore, much of our heritage was lost during this time. .... a few were considered harmless and were allowed."