The Broom Jumping Ceremony
Broom Jumping has become one of the most popular African traditions at weddings. According to Harriette Cole in her book, "Jumping the Broom." The ritual itself was created by our ancestors during slavery.
Because slaves could not legally marry, they created their own rituals to honor their unions. Some say broom jumping comes from an African tribal marriage ritual of placing sticks on the ground representing the couple's new home.
Meaning - The jumping of the broom is a symbol of sweeping away of the old and welcoming the new, or a symbol of a new beginning.
Time - About 2 to 5 minutes in length
Supplies - Broom – can be decorated or purchased from an ethnic store
Placement - After the couple is declared married and their first kiss
Example of the wording for this Enhancement:
Spoken by the Officiant
_____ and _____ have elected to hold a Broom Jumping Ceremony to represent their union. The broom should be thought of as a representation of their two families and their need to receive support from their community in recognizing them in their marriage.
They would like to invite you to join them now and form a circle around them as your show of support.
Action
While the circle is forming the couple should be holding the broom handle together and sweeping around within the circle. Once it is formed, the couple should lay the broom in the center of the circle and stand together side by side holding hands.
ActionStarting a new life with another person requires a "leap of faith"
This broom represents a threshold.
_____ and _____, although still individuals, will begin a new life together today.
Jumping over the broom represents crossing this threshold into new territory; a life vitally connected to another's. They leave behind the past and jump into the future together secure in their love.
The leap they take over the broom is also symbolic. By taking the leap, they make a gesture of dedication to working together through the tough times ahead, as well as the easy times.
Please count with me now and shout with joy as they perform their first act of working together.
1, 2, 3, jump!
Everyone cheers/claps