A fully decorated broom can be purchased at ethnic
stores, or a regular household broom will suffice. Broom sizes will
vary, but it doesn't matter which you choose.
If you decide to use your own broom and decorate it
yourself be sure it coordinates with your wedding colors.
Using your own broom can also be a great bonding
activity for the bridesmaids, perhaps the night, or week before the
wedding.
A fully decorated broom can be purchased at ethnic
stores, or a regular household broom will suffice.
Broom sizes will vary, but it doesn't matter which
you choose. If you decide to use your own broom and decorate it
yourself, be sure it coordinates with your wedding colors.
Using your own broom can also be a great bonding
activity for the bridesmaids, perhaps the night, or week before the
wedding.
Feel free to use bows, flowers (artificial or real),
or other trinkets to make it unique. But don't overdo it. You'll
probably want this for a keepsake in your home.
Another idea is to have a basket full of ribbon
pieces at the wedding or reception and allow guests to tie ribbons
around the broom before you begin the ceremony.
This allows the audience to participate, which is in
keeping with the African tradition of community involvement.
Have your host ask family members or friends to form
a circle around the couple as they stand in front of the broom on the
floor.
"Let us give our support to this new family who are
formed by the joining and the combining of two families, and we ask
there community to support the couple."
"As Mr. & Mrs _____________ jump this broom, let
them look forward to a new life and home together as husband and wife."
"The jumping of the broom is a symbol of sweeping
away of the old and welcoming the new, or a symbol of a new beginning."
"Would everyone count 1, 2, 3... Jump!