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1. Coordinate your entire
wedding with African inspired accessories from wedding brooms to Kente cloth
garters, pillows and guest books and wedding stationery.
2.
Walk down the aisle with your hair braided instead of wearing a separate
headpiece.
3. If you prefer to wear a headpiece, ask your wedding consultant for advice on
crafting an African-inspired wedding hat or "crown" that will
complement your attire.
4. Walk down the aisle to the tune of drums and African instruments enhanced by
the joyful shouts, clapping and bell-ringing of your loved ones.
5. Place a basket of ribbons at the entrance of your ceremony site and invite
guests to tie a ribbon to the broom before the ceremony.
6. As you jump the broom you will have each guest's good wishes attached.
7. Select a favorite hymn for guests to sing as you jump the broom after the
ceremony.
8. You may also cross sticks. Slaves used to cross sticks as a symbol of
marriage
9. Have wedding bands made with the sign of the Ankh. The Ankh is a symbol of
eternal life, love and the beginning of new life as two families become one.
10. Order a wedding cake with African decorations.
11. Decorate your flower arrangements with afro centric ribbons.
12. Serve an afro centric dish at your reception while watching African dancers
performing.
JUMPING OVER THE BROOM
Broom Jumping has become one of the most popular
African traditions at weddings - traditional and African-centered. According to Harriet
Cole in her book,
Jumping the Broom : The
African-American Wedding Planner, the ritual itself
was created by African-American ancestors during slavery.
Because slaves could not legally marry, they
created their own rituals to honor their unions. Some say broom jumping comes
from an African tribal marriage ritual of placing sticks on the ground
representing the couple's new home.
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.
Today the ceremony can be performed at the
wedding after the minister pronounces the couple man and wife or at the
reception just after the bridal party enters the reception area.
How to perform a broom jumping ceremony?
Supplies: Broom, Ribbon
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.
The Ceremony
Have your host ask guests to form a circle around the couple as they stand in
front of the broom on the floor.
The host should discuss the symbolism behind the
broom as it relates to the joining of the couple and the combining of two
families, and the need for the community to support the couple. Meanwhile have
the couple hold the broom handle together and sweep around in a circle until the
host or designated person is finished talking.
The groom should then place the broom on the
floor and hold the bride's hand. Have everyone count 1, 2, 3... Jump!
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