Jumping The Broom

 Good Afternoon,

I will be discussing the act of "jumping the broom". Jumping the broom or in other words a celebration of marriage. Jumping the broom involves jumping over a broom after a couple has married. Couples could do this act separately and/or together. 

Now you may be asking... What is the history of this act, and why is it a part of African/African American culture. Slaves used this in place of a wedding ceremony because a lot of the time they were not able to get legally married. 

Some people believe it came from Ghana while others say it was also present in Europe. Some historians believe that women in Africa jumped over the broom to symbolize the commitment a wife made and the housework she then promised to do. 

Jumping the Broom - African American Custom 

Jumping the Broom - African Custom 


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