Jumping the broom is a phrase and custom where the couple jumps over a broom. The tradition of Jumping the Broom symbolizes sweeping away the old and welcoming the new—a symbol of a new beginning.
Jumping the Broom 1
Jumping the broom may have its roots in an African tribal marriage ritual where sticks were placed on the ground, representing the couple’s new home.
However, it became popular among African- American slaves who could not legally marry, so they created their own rituals to honor their unions.
The broom was chosen because it has been the household symbol of home throughout history.
It also has been said that the spray of the broom symbolizes the scattering of the African race, and the handle represents the Almighty, who holds them all together.
The Bride and Groom are sweeping together in a circle to signify the sweeping away of their former single lives, their past problems and their previous cares.
The broom represents a threshold between past and present, and jumping the broom symbolizes the crossing of this threshold into a new relationship as husband and wife.
Starting a new life with another person does require a leap of faith, and by taking this leap, the couple shows their dedication to work together through all of life’s circumstances.
Bride and Groom place broom on the floor and join hands.
Everyone counts, “One, two, three . . . jump!”
Jumping the Broom 2
We end this ceremony with the African American tradition of jumping of the broom. Slaves in this country were not permitted to marry, so they jumped a broom as a way of ceremonially uniting. Today it represents great joy and at the same time serves as a reminder of the past and the pain of slavery.
As our bride and groom jump the broom, they physically and spiritually cross the threshold into the land of matrimony. It marks the beginning of making a home together. It symbolizes the sweeping away of the old and the welcoming of the new; the sweeping away all negative energy, making way for all things that are good to come into your lives. It is also a call of support for the marriage from the entire community of family and friends. The bride and groom will now begin their new life together with a clean sweep!
One of the attendants then hands the broom to the groom, who makes sweeping gestures to eliminate any negative energies. The groom then hands the broom to the bride, who places it on the ground in their path.
Minister: Everyone count 1, 2, 3… Jump! Together! 1, 2, 3… Jump!
Jumping the Broom 3
We end this ceremony with the African American tradition of jumping of the broom. Slaves in this country were not permitted to marry, so they jumped a broom as a way of ceremonially uniting. Today it represents great joy and at the same time serves as a reminder of the past and the pain of slavery. It is traditional that the elders of the family conduct the ritual. We therefore call up [grandmother’s name] and [grandmother’s name].
The Minister then hands the broom to the elder of one family, who makes sweeping gestures to eliminate any negative energies. That individual then hands the broom to the other elder representative, who places it on the ground in their path.
As our bride and groom jump the broom, they physically and spiritually cross the threshold into the land of matrimony. Today marks the beginning of making a home together. It symbolizes the sweeping away of the old and the welcoming of the new; the sweeping away all negative energy, making way for all things that are good to come into your lives. It is also a call of support for the marriage from the entire community of family and friends. The bride and groom will now begin their new life together with a clean sweep!
Everyone count 1, 2, 3… Jump! Together! 1, 2, 3… Jump!
