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JUMPING THE BROOM
In times of slavery in this country, African American couples were denied all rights, including the right to be formally married and live together. Because they could not legally marry, they created their own rituals to honor their unions. So to make a public declaration of their love and commitment, a man and a woman would literally jump over a broom into matrimony.
The
jumping of the broom is a symbol of sweeping away the old and welcoming the new, or a symbol of a new beginning. Some couples today are choosing to include this ceremony in their own wedding.
In a
ceremony dating back to the 1600's derived from Africa, The straws of
the broom represent family and the handle represents the Almighty.
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Diana and Marlow
jumping their wedding broom. |
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