"Jumping the broom"?!?!

Want2bMrs

So, the FI is 1/2 black american & 1/2 Jamaican.  Im full carribean.  He wants to "embrace his BA side" and jump the broom.  I have NO idea what this tradition is about, why its done, exactly what part of the ceremony its done at.  Is there a special broom or type of broom?  Why is it done, where did it originate, what does it symbolize (since Im adding it to my wedding)

Anyone with info.. please share
thanks

shaneikaw

The jumping the broom was something that originated during slavery time that was the only thing that the slaves had to symbolize that they were married.  Many African Americans use it now to embrace or keep the tradition going usually you jump the broom after the pastor/officinate announce that your are man and wife. You can get a broom from Michaels alot of stores sale them now or you can get it off line its just a small wicker broom.  There's a movie out that talk about this very topic its called jumping the broom I believe it has already come out on dvd so you may want to see it, its a good movie.

wallacje

We jumped our broom right after the minister pronounced us husband and wife.  The symbolance is just as Shaneikaw mentioned.

I made our broom because I didn't like the ones online, I wanted a more personal touch to our broom. Now I actually plan on putting it in a shadowbox and hanging it on the wall.

eneh2012

You jump the broom right after you are pronounced men and wife.  Right before you exit the ceremony.  You can google for pictures of the broom but it generally is decorated with your wedding colors. 

If you want to make your own now is a good time for it because it's fall and you can find the brooms at Hobby Lobby and places like that.  My aunt is going to make mine for me. 

brittanyjterrell

Ditto to what all the PPs said.
I found my broom on Etsy!

I am so happy about this and it can definitely be an heirloom in your family for years to come.

shesheduke

We jumped the broom right after they pronounced us husband and wife. One of my volunteers made mine for me and it was beautiful we are going to hang it up in the entrance of our house. PP hit the nail on the head about its importance. It also is the sweeping of the past away and sweeping in a new life together and since FI has a son we all jumped the broom together to start our new life together I LOVED IT. Good luck and post pics when you have a moment!

ladychambers83

I want to incorporate this into our wedding. FI and i are born Canadians with Jamaican  parentage, so I've never seen it done at any other wedding. But we feel that slavery is as much apart of our history as our American brothers and sisters and would like to start our own tradition in our family I'm really looking forward to it

halfpin21

My parents are caribbean and my DH is american.  I wanted to jump the broom to honor our african ancestors.  I made my broom and it was fun.  My mother was against it but after she saw us do it, she was more on board.  We jumped after we were pronounced husband and wife but not before I had one of my friends read a poem on jumping the broom.  Since I knew a lot of our guests were not familiar with it, I thought it would be a nice addition.

missqueens

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_jumping-broom-12?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:a3b5cd11-a702-40c2-916e-53482a5b3291Post:daec0ce2-278b-429f-857a-2d2e033d50d1">Re: "Jumping the broom"?!?!</a>:
[QUOTE]My parents are caribbean and my DH is american.  I wanted to jump the broom to honor our african ancestors.  I made my broom and it was fun.  My mother was against it but after she saw us do it, she was more on board.  We jumped after we were pronounced husband and wife but not before<strong> I had one of my friends read a poem on jumping the broom</strong>.  Since I knew a lot of our guests were not familiar with it, I thought it would be a nice addition.
Posted by halfpin21[/QUOTE]

Do you still have the poem and are you willing to share it? That sounds Beautiful!