Thursday, July 7, 2011

Jumping the Broom!

     Love cannot be denied, this is a fact. It can surprise you and spring up even when you don't want it to, but still, you can't fight it. This can very easily be applied to the slavery era. Obviously, slaves were humans. It was only natural for them to build relationships, and of course, fall in love with one another. Marriage among enslaved couples was forbidden at the time; however, that didn't stop anybody. It was very common for slaves to "jump the broom", a ritual created by the slaves themselves. They would put a broom on the floor and jump over it, signifying their marriage.


     Present day African-American couples often choose to add this ritual to their wedding ceremonies as well. These brooms are often handmade and beautifully decorated, unlike those of their enslaved ancestors. In the end, it all comes to show that love is love, no matter the circumstances. It will always find a way to prevail, even in the most difficult times.

By Julia Dankov

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