I've seen this in a few movies and on some wedding shows. What does it mean?
2006-08-03 04:33:49 · 6 answers · asked by germaine_87313 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
For African American, jumping the broom became popular during slavery. Blacks were not permitted to have traditional legal wedding ceremonies. To make a marriage legitimate in the eyes of themselves (black slaves) they used the broomstick ritual. The slave owners did not permit many African rituals but they did allow, “Jumping the broom”. Today it is practiced to celebrate and honor that heritage.
Jumping the broom is said to have originated back in Africa.
2006-08-03 08:57:41 · answer #1 · answered by truly 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm unsure about broomsticks in African American weddings, but I know they are used in the Wiccan wedding ceremony of handfasting. In those ceremonies, it is used to symbolize sweeping away the past and starting anew with the one you are joining. The couple leaps over the broomstick (besom) as well.
The symbolism in African American weddings may be similar or the same.
2006-08-03 11:40:41 · answer #2 · answered by loislanepoet 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I am not African but very American--in our family we all usually have between 6 and 8 children and everyone older than the bride or groom which ever is the sibling has to dance with the broom--to indicate they are basically the old-maid. It is usually quite funny and I didn't think it is possible for a broom to wear a straw hat or glasses
2006-08-03 11:52:47 · answer #3 · answered by toody 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats only on T.V. not in a real hood wedding
2006-08-03 11:44:23 · answer #4 · answered by The Monnicker 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i seen it too, in the movie 'Roots' they jumped over a broom stick. cultural ritual maybe.
2006-08-03 12:30:27 · answer #5 · answered by Alexis Samira 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumping_the_broom
2006-08-03 12:14:33 · answer #6 · answered by Homer Pimpson 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋