Sheila Stone
Because African-Americans are decended from slaves who were forcibly removed from their homelands, their customs were not able to develop naturally. They had to be re-created. They had lost their homeland, their community structure and their freedom all at once. Since they were not allowed to marry under the law, they had to find inventive rituals and traditions. The tradition of “jumping the broom” is one such tradition. The broom itself held spiritual significance for many African peoples since the new bride had traditionally helped other women in her new family sweep the courtyard clean. This symbolized her willingness to help out with her future family. During slavery, the couple would literally jump over a broom to begin the marriage. Today, this is becoming a traditional part of Afro-centric weddings ceremony as a way of honoring the trials of the couple’s ancestors.
Drums were an important part of wedding ceremonies both in Africa and here in America, until they were outlawed. The “talking drums” were considered too dangerous to be allowed.
In nearly all African tribes, the wedding contained much symbolism involving the bringing together of two families. Anything that would center on this blending of families (such as the bride’s family and the groom’s family forming lines and then exchanging places) would be in keeping with this tradition.
Some tribes would braid grass and use it to bind the bride and groom’s wrists together to symbolize their union.
Another new-old tradition is decorative accents of cowrie shells. They are found off the coast of West Africa and were once used as money. They are also a symbol of purification, beauty and power. Today they can be worn in bridal necklaces or used to trim gowns, jackets and headpieces in silver and white.
Sheila Stone is the Relationships editor for Simply Family.
