The Broom Jumping Ceremony

The Broom Jumping Ceremony

The Broom Jumping Ceremony is a wonderful addition to a vow renewal ceremony for couples who have made it through a difficult time together since it symbolizes sweeping away the old and welcoming the new.  It is one of the most popular African marriage traditions. Today, couples of all races include this wonderful symbolic tradition in their ceremony.

Placement in the ceremony – At the conclusion of the ceremony, after the kiss.

Time – About 2 to 5 minutes in length

Meaning – The jumping of the broom is a symbol of sweeping away of the old and welcoming the new, or a new beginning.

Supplies – A  broom.  The straws of the broom represent family; the handle represents the Almighty; the ribbon represents the tie that binds the couple together. A fully decorated broom can be purchased at ethnic stores or online, you could also make your own, or a regular household broom can be used. Coordinate the decorations and ribbons on the broom with your colors.

If you would like to include your family and friends in the ceremony, you can place a basket of ribbon pieces near the entrance of the ceremony and have guests write their name or initials on the ribbon and tie them around the broom before the ceremony begins.

Example of the wording for this Enhancement:

Officiant: _____ and _____ have decided to include a Broom Jumping Ceremony to represent their renewed commitment to each other. The broom symbolically represents the sweeping away of the old and the welcoming of the new; the sweeping away all negative energy, making way for all things that are good to come into your lives.

Action: One of the attendants or a special guest then hands the broom to the husband, who makes sweeping gestures to eliminate any negative energies. The husband then hands the broom to his wife, who places it on the ground in their path.

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 count 1, 2, 3… Jump! Together! 1, 2, 3… Jump!

Action: The couple jumps over the broom, then kisses. Immediately, the music begins and the couple recesses down the aisle to the cheers of family and friends!