How are you decorating your broom. I bought a really cool broom. I have only seen it done once and they had fake flowers on it. Any other ideas?
davenjess
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Re: anyone else jumping the broom?
i LOVE that tradition! I've seen it done with flowers as well....maybe you can get one from a crafts' store or something - they tend to make really lovely decorations on them....and then you can hang it in the house somewhere afterwards!
Rejjie
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Re: anyone else jumping the broom?
How does the broom get there? Is there a 'broom bearer'???? HAAA!
Smde39
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Re: anyone else jumping the broom?
I have never heard of this... What is it about? I am very curious bc it sounds fun
davenjess
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Re: anyone else jumping the broom?
i know the few times i've seen it on Who's Wedding is it anyway that there WAS someone bringing the broom in....yes....
davenjess
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Re: anyone else jumping the broom?
Broom Jumping has become one of the most popular African traditions at weddings - traditional and African-centered. According to Harriette Cole in her book, 'Jumping the Broom.' The ritual itself was created by our ancestors during slavery.
Because slaves could not legally marry, they created their own rituals to honor their unions. Some say broom jumping comes from an African tribal marriage ritual of placing sticks on the ground representing the couple's new home.
The jumping of the broom is a symbol of sweeping away of the old and welcoming the new, or a symbol of a new beginning.
Today the ceremony can be performed at the wedding after the minister pronounces the couple man and wife or at the reception just after the bridal party enters the reception area.
How to perform a broom jumping ceremony?
Supplies: Broom, Ribbon A fully decorated broom can be purchased at ethnic stores, or a regular household broom will suffice. Broom sizes will vary, but it doesn't matter which you choose. If you decide to use your own broom and decorate it yourself, be sure it coordinates with your wedding colors. Using your own broom can also be a great bonding activity for the bridesmaids, perhaps the night, or week before the wedding.
Feel free to use bows, flowers (artificial or real), or other trinkets to make it unique. But don't overdo it. You'll probably want this for a keepsake in your home. Another idea is to have a basket full of ribbon pieces at the wedding or reception and allow guests to tie ribbons around the broom before you begin the ceremony. This allows the audience to participate, which is in keeping with the African tradition of community involvement.
The Ceremony Have your host ask guests to form a circle around the couple as they stand in front of the broom on the floor.
The host should discuss the symbolism behind the broom as it relates to the joining of the couple and the combining of two families, and the need for the community to support the couple. Meanwhile have the couple hold the broom handle together and sweep around in a circle until the host or designated person is finished talking.
The groom should then place the broom on the floor and hold the bride's hand.
Have everyone count 1, 2, 3... Jump!
For more information about Broom Jumping, check out Harriette Cole's 'Jumping the Broom: The African-American Wedding Planner' and 'Jumping the Broom: Wedding Workbook.' It's an excellent resource for anyone planning a wedding traditional or African-centered.
Rejjie
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Re: anyone else jumping the broom?
WoW! Thanks! That's way more than I knew. All I knew was that my fiance's mom said they used to do it as a marriage ceremony when slaves were not allowed to officially marry.
davenjess
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Re: anyone else jumping the broom?
you're very welcome! I think it's a really nice tradition - but i see how some people would rather not want to do it....
Smde39
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Re: anyone else jumping the broom?
Thats some great info... What a fun tradition Thanks for explaining it
Rejjie
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Re: anyone else jumping the broom?
Oooooh! Just had an idea - could put little cards out for people to write their wishes - like the wishing well thing, but they could tie them to the broom. How does that sound?
Shell84
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Re: anyone else jumping the broom?
Posted by Rejjie
How does the broom get there? Is there a 'broom bearer'???? HAAA!
yeah, usually someone in the bridal party (younger kid) carries the broom down the aisle.
davenjess
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Re: anyone else jumping the broom?
Posted by Rejjie
Oooooh! Just had an idea - could put little cards out for people to write their wishes - like the wishing well thing, but they could tie them to the broom. How does that sound?
I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can give out the ribbon with a tie on it with a card & at the reception they can tie it to the broom....so you can set up a broom table! Turn it into a wishing broom!!!!!!
1nicetouch
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Re: anyone else jumping the broom?
Posted by davenjess
Posted by Rejjie
Oooooh! Just had an idea - could put little cards out for people to write their wishes - like the wishing well thing, but they could tie them to the broom. How does that sound?
I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can give out the ribbon with a tie on it with a card & at the reception they can tie it to the broom....so you can set up a broom table! Turn it into a wishing broom!!!!!!
Thats a really good idea. Im jumping the broom also. In my family the broom is hung up next the front door, for good luck, and the wishes would really look nice on it.
Rejjie
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Re: anyone else jumping the broom?
That's it! A wishing broom it is. Now...where to put the broom table and how to make the cards! I guess I could just do business cards with holes and ribbons and leave pens there in my wedding colors. And write up a little explanation so my half of the family will know what's up. I got the coolest broom at Earring Tabu in Port Jefferson. I can't wait!
