what does it mean when you jump over the broom at your wedding??

Question

jumping over the broom when your getting married what does it mean??

Answer 1

It's an african custom symbolizing the uniting of a couple

Answer 2

The significance of the broom to early African-Americans originates in the present-day West African country of Ghana. During the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, most of Ghana in the 18th century was ruled by the Asante of Ashanti. Asante urban areas and roads were kept conspicuously clean according to visiting British and Dutch traders with the use of domestically made brooms. These same brooms were used by wives or servants to clean the courtyards of palaces or homes. The broom in Asante and other Akon cultures also held spiritual value and symbolized sweeping away past wrongs or warding off evil spirits. This is where the broom comes into play regarding marriage. Brooms were waved over the heads of marrying couples to ward off spirits. The couple would often but not always jump over the broom at the end of the ceremony. Jumping over a broom as part of a wedding ceremony was also common in pre-Christian European cultures. The custom survived the introduction of Christianity and was practiced by both blacks and whites in the American South prior to the Civil War.

Jumping over the broom symbolized two things. The first was the wife's commitment or willingness to clean the courtyard of the new home she had joined. Furthermore, it expressed her overall commitment to the house. The second thing was the determination of who ran the household. Whoever jumped highest over the broom was the decision maker of the household (usually the man). The jumping of the broom does not constitute taking a "leap of faith" as the practice of jumping the broom pre-dates the phrase coined by Søren Aabye Kierkegaard by one hundred years if not more.

Answer 3

that is correct. slaves were not allowed a standard marriage ceromony and since the broom represents the home they would "jump the broom" to deem themselves a married couple. first forward as union then individually backwords and forwards with whomever did not fall from the jump would rule the roost.

for my wedding 07/7 we are jumping the broom

Answer 4

This tradition began with African slaves who at one time were forbidden to marry without the permission of their slave master. The slave masters tried to keep track of their slaves by census documentations and literally separating the men from the women at night to control African procreation and confusion. African slaves were illiterate.......they didn't have papers or licences from any such place unless noted and documented by the slave master.

Many ceremonies took place in the night when the slave master was not present to watch. The ceremonies were simple and quick by jumping over a broomstick; symbolizing new beginnings, good luck, unity, love and commitment; sometimes a celebration of dancing and singing would follow.

Answer 5

Such beautiful answers to the question. My grandmother (from the deep south) used to tell me that it meant you were not going to get married if someone swept a broom under your feet. Maybe these two traditions tie together. Getting marriend and then never getting married again. Dare we hope to be together forever.:) Best Wishes to the Happy Couple - whoever they may be.

Answer 6

That is a tradition first seen in the United States among people of African descent, including slaves. It symbolizes the great transition into married life, a step so important that you can't just casually step over, you must leap into it. And of course, the two who've just gotten married must make that great leap of faith together, as they are to be from that point on - partners together.

Have you gotten married lately, or know a couple who have? Blessings on the happy couple! Mazel tov!!!

Answer 7

I am not sure of the actual meaning, but I wanted to say that when I watch the wedding shows and the couple do this I just think its the neatest thing.

Answer 8

I know that pagans use this as a ceremony in getting married. I think it has something with sweeping away the old life and jumping together into the new married life

Answer 9

it symbolizes sweeping away both evil spirits and the ties to your former life. sometimes bride&grooms jump over the broom crossed with a sword, cutting the ties, and sweeping them away, to start their new life.

Answer 10

That's an old custom brought to this country by slaves. It means you are married.