A broom-branch was laid on the ground in the open, and the bride and groom jumped backwards and forwards over it, holding hands as they did so. They gypsy wedding was slightly different.
#Jumping the broom meaning free#
If the rite was properly performed, both parties were considered free to marry again. There had to be witnesses, and the person jumping had to avoid touching the broom or doorpost as he or she leapt. The same conditions applied here as at the wedding. It could, however, be broken without difficulty if, during the first twelve months, the besom was replaced in the doorway, and the dissatisfied partner jumped backwards over it from the house into the open air. Such a marriage was considered quite valid, however strongly the clergy might condemn it. It had to be performed in the presence of witnesses, and one person, chosen for his standing and importance in the community, acted as officiant. Care had to be taken not to touch the doorpost or the broom, or to move the latter accidentally, otherwise the ceremony was void. The young man leapt over it into the house, and the girl then did the same. A birch-broom was set aslant across the open door, either that of the bride's home or that of the cottage in which the couple were to live. Was this even wrote by the same person? In most people's minds pagan and ancient celtic are synonymous and there is, frankly, a contradiction in his own words here.- MaverickDruid 16:21, (UTC) Reply jumping the broomstick įrom "The besom, or broomstick wedding is now usually associated with gypsies, but at one time it seems to have been known in Wales amongst people who were not gypsies.
It kind of offends me, as an african-american, to hear people say that jumping over the broom was a "pagan" ritual.as a little known aside- jumping the broom was an ancient celtic ritual also. NickelShoe ( Talk) 21:07, 25 March 2006 (UTC) Reply We can just pull the info out if no one has any sources. Even though slaves couldn't legally marry, they still could follow tradition." posted by User:70.178.86.74 and added a tag to the claim. Jumping the broom WAS a West African tradtion brought over to America. I moved this commentary out of the article: "This is incorrect. and as a little known aside- jumping the broom was an ancient celtic ritual also. another reason that jumping the broom was used by enslaved Africans was because it assisted in maintaining a tie to their culture and homeland- it was an African tradition. jumping the broom symbolizes sweeping away the old and bringing in the new, or a symbol of a new beginning. therefore, to symbolize a male slave's commitment to his slave wife, they jumped the broom. the slaves had to create their own rituals to honor their union. therefore, when a "nigger marriage" was to commence, there was no way for the black slaves to commit to each other before God, as was the custom in a religious ceremony. this is the real story.ĭuring the time of the enslavement of black people, they, as "non-humans", were not allowed to worship God in a sanctuary like whites. It kind of offends me, as an African-American, to hear people say that jumping over the broom was a "pagan" ritual. "has been adopted as neo-pagan custom." Huh? By whom? Isn't it only Wiccans that do this? Is it really NPOV or is it just another example of a Wiccan trying to push his/her religion as a general pagan thing? It's probably just due to ignorance, but it should perhaps be reworded, something like "some neo-pagans, mostly Wiccans.". Ortolan88 16:49 (UTC)Ĭould someone move up the actual description of what this practice is, and explain it a bit more? Assume a reader who has never heard of this - Tarquin 18:39 (UTC)ĭone, with link. Nothing wrong with neo-pagans taking over African American custom, but claiming it as their own seems a bit much. For pagans not of African American descent, including a broom in the ceremony is appropriate. Many pagans, as well as non-pagans, now associate jumping the broom with pagan handfastings. Two POV sentences removed from pagan section: 14 "Victorian" origin of the "literal" interpretation.12 Slavery and other historic background for current low marriage rates among blacks.
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