Sweep to a New Future
As slaves, African Americans were not allowed to marry and when a wedding did occur they were normally inconspicuous events. One wedding tradition that has been passed down is the “jumping of the broom”. When the couple jumps over the broom it symbolizes jumping into matrimony. The broom also had a symbolic significance. In a sign of support for her new family the bride would sweep the courtyard of the groom’s family. The broom also represents a fresh start in the marriage by the “sweeping away” of emotional and spiritual grievances.
