Some couples of African ancestry have resurrected the wedding tradition known as "Jumping the Broom." The ritual, placed at the end of the ceremony, is tied to the antebellum period in American history. Because slaves were denied the dignity of having conventional union ceremonies, they adapted customs from their homelands. Wooden sticks, placed on the ground, symbolize the new home of the couple. The leap over the handle represents their faith in leaping into the next phase of life--a committed union together. Likewise, the broom will "sweep clear" the path that lies ahead. To make this ceremonial element even more meaningful, consider choosing large branches from the family homes of the bride and groom for the culmination of a perfect ceremony.
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