Jumping The Broom Ceremony
You may purchase decorated brooms on line or at ethnic stores. Many couples decorate their own. Any kind of broom will do. The straws of the broom represent family; the handle represents the Almighty; the ribbon represents the tie that binds the couple together.
Jumping the broom tradition:
This ceremony dates back to the 1600s, and can be traced back to many diverse cultures. The most well-known, is the traditional jumping of the broom that derives from Africa. Jumping the broom or in some cases jumping over an imaginary line is an African ritual, or tradition still being practiced in some parts of West Africa. Jumping the broom is not associated with slavery. Enslaved Africans, as an affirmation of their cultural heritage practiced it during slavery in North America. Jumping the broom together has been part of weddings for couples who want to honor that tradition. It also has deep roots in the Celtic culture (including Welsh, Celtics, Druids and Gypsies)
The "Jumping the Broom" is a ceremony in which the bride and groom, signify their entrance into a new life and their creation of a new family by symbolically "sweeping away" their former single lives, former problems and concerns, and jumping over the broom to enter upon a new adventure as a married couple.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, one of the attendants produces the broom or a special person from the audience brings the broom and places it in the path of the wedding couple. They then jump over the broom on their way to the recessional.
Couples celebrate this rich cultural heritage, irrespective of race, religion, and nationality. The most important thing is its significance;honoring and respect of your ancestors, their legacy, and your family heritage.The coming together of both families. The commitment to each other as wife and husband.It represents strength, love, togetherness, loyalty, and respect which is essential for a successful marriage.
This ceremony dates back to the 1600s, and can be traced back to many diverse cultures. The most well-known, is the traditional jumping of the broom that derives from Africa. Jumping the broom or in some cases jumping over an imaginary line is an African ritual, or tradition still being practiced in some parts of West Africa. Jumping the broom is not associated with slavery. Enslaved Africans, as an affirmation of their cultural heritage practiced it during slavery in North America. Jumping the broom together has been part of weddings for couples who want to honor that tradition. It also has deep roots in the Celtic culture (including Welsh, Celtics, Druids and Gypsies)
The "Jumping the Broom" is a ceremony in which the bride and groom, signify their entrance into a new life and their creation of a new family by symbolically "sweeping away" their former single lives, former problems and concerns, and jumping over the broom to enter upon a new adventure as a married couple.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, one of the attendants produces the broom or a special person from the audience brings the broom and places it in the path of the wedding couple. They then jump over the broom on their way to the recessional.
Couples celebrate this rich cultural heritage, irrespective of race, religion, and nationality. The most important thing is its significance;honoring and respect of your ancestors, their legacy, and your family heritage.The coming together of both families. The commitment to each other as wife and husband.It represents strength, love, togetherness, loyalty, and respect which is essential for a successful marriage.
Jumping the Broom ceremony wording (This element is a closing to the ceremony and is done after the pronouncement. Couple faces guests, maid of honor hands bride her bouquet)
Option 1:
Officiant:
___ and _____ have chosen to conclude their ceremony with the African tradition of jumping the broom. As our bride and groom jump, they physically and spiritually cross the threshold into the land of matrimony. It marks the beginning of their making a home together. It symbolizes the sweeping away of the old and the welcoming of the new. 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!
(broom is laid in front of couple)
Everyone please count with me 1, 2, 3... Jump!
(Couple jump)
Ladies and gentlemen may I present Mr. and Mrs.______!"
(Couple kiss again and exit to greet their guests!)
****************************************************************************************************************************************************
Option 2:
Officiant:
_____ and ___ have chosen to conclude their ceremony with the tradition of jumping the broom.
This ceremony dates back to the 1600s, and can be traced back to many diverse cultures. The most well-known, is the traditional jumping of the broom that derives from Africa. Jumping the broom is an African tradition still being practiced in some parts of West Africa. It is a rich part of their culture that was practiced during slavery in North America when traditional marriage was not allowed.
Today _____ and ___ honor and respect this legacy and heritage as well as symbolize the coming together of both families.
As _____ and ___ jump, they physically and spiritually cross the threshold into the land of matrimony. It marks the beginning of their making a home together. It symbolizes the sweeping away of the old and the welcoming of the new. 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!
(At this point designated person-parent, family member best man…whomever you wish, places broom on ground in front of couple)
Officiant: Everyone please count 1, 2, 3… Jump! Together with me now, and shout with joy as they perform their first act of working together as husband and wife;
1, 2, 3, jump!
The couple jumps over the broom, and then kiss. Immediately, the music begins and the couple recesses down the aisle to the cheers of family and friends!
**************************************************************************************************************************************************
Option 3:
Officiant:
_____ and ___ has chosen to conclude their ceremony with the tradition of jumping the broom
Today we honor and celebrate the transition from two separate lives into one life united by love. We place a broom for jumping, which symbolizes the entrance of the couple into a new life together.
(At this point designated person-parent, family member best man…whomever you wish, places broom on ground in front of couple)
Officiant:
Sharing a life with another person requires many “leaps of faith.” The leap they take together 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. They leave behind the past and jump into the future together secure in their love.
Everyone please count 1, 2, 3… Jump! Together with me now, and shout with joy as they perform their first act of working together as husband and wife;
1, 2, 3, jump!
~ Hurray!!
The couple jumps over the broom, and then kisses. Immediately, the music begins and the couple recesses down the aisle to the cheers of family and friends!
Option 1:
Officiant:
___ and _____ have chosen to conclude their ceremony with the African tradition of jumping the broom. As our bride and groom jump, they physically and spiritually cross the threshold into the land of matrimony. It marks the beginning of their making a home together. It symbolizes the sweeping away of the old and the welcoming of the new. 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!
(broom is laid in front of couple)
Everyone please count with me 1, 2, 3... Jump!
(Couple jump)
Ladies and gentlemen may I present Mr. and Mrs.______!"
(Couple kiss again and exit to greet their guests!)
****************************************************************************************************************************************************
Option 2:
Officiant:
_____ and ___ have chosen to conclude their ceremony with the tradition of jumping the broom.
This ceremony dates back to the 1600s, and can be traced back to many diverse cultures. The most well-known, is the traditional jumping of the broom that derives from Africa. Jumping the broom is an African tradition still being practiced in some parts of West Africa. It is a rich part of their culture that was practiced during slavery in North America when traditional marriage was not allowed.
Today _____ and ___ honor and respect this legacy and heritage as well as symbolize the coming together of both families.
As _____ and ___ jump, they physically and spiritually cross the threshold into the land of matrimony. It marks the beginning of their making a home together. It symbolizes the sweeping away of the old and the welcoming of the new. 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!
(At this point designated person-parent, family member best man…whomever you wish, places broom on ground in front of couple)
Officiant: Everyone please count 1, 2, 3… Jump! Together with me now, and shout with joy as they perform their first act of working together as husband and wife;
1, 2, 3, jump!
The couple jumps over the broom, and then kiss. Immediately, the music begins and the couple recesses down the aisle to the cheers of family and friends!
**************************************************************************************************************************************************
Option 3:
Officiant:
_____ and ___ has chosen to conclude their ceremony with the tradition of jumping the broom
Today we honor and celebrate the transition from two separate lives into one life united by love. We place a broom for jumping, which symbolizes the entrance of the couple into a new life together.
(At this point designated person-parent, family member best man…whomever you wish, places broom on ground in front of couple)
Officiant:
Sharing a life with another person requires many “leaps of faith.” The leap they take together 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. They leave behind the past and jump into the future together secure in their love.
Everyone please count 1, 2, 3… Jump! Together with me now, and shout with joy as they perform their first act of working together as husband and wife;
1, 2, 3, jump!
~ Hurray!!
The couple jumps over the broom, and then kisses. Immediately, the music begins and the couple recesses down the aisle to the cheers of family and friends!
