I found this on the internet at http://www.african-weddings.com/jumping_the_broom . Thanks for asking the question. I never have thought about it and would not have tried to find out unless you had asked. 1-2-3... Jump! Jumping the broom has become one of the most popular African traditions at weddings-traditional and African-centered. History tells us our ancestors created the ritual during slavery. Because slaves could not legally marry, they created their own rituals to honor their unions. It is said that broom jumping comes from an African Tribal Marriage Ritual of placing sticks on the ground representing the couple's new home together. The "Jumping of the Broom" is a symbol of sweeping away the old and welcoming the new, or a symbol of new beginnings. Today's 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. -----Original Message----- From: Scalawag1867@aol.com [mailto:Scalawag1867@aol.com] Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2003 11:07 AM To: GEORGIA-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [GEORGIA] Marriage Custom Question Another wedding custom. Why did the black people getting married jump over a broom. If you know, please let me know. Sandra ==== GEORGIA Mailing List ==== NOTICE: Posting of virus warnings, test messages, chain letters, political announcements, current events, items for sale, personal messages, flames, etc. (in other words - spam) is NOT ALLOWED and will be grounds for removal. Consideration for exceptions, contact Kathleen Burnett kathleenburnett@earthlink.net ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237