JUMPING THE BROOM AND BEYOND: EXPLORING AFRICAN AND GULLAH GEECHEE MARRIAGE CUSTOMS"

by Amir Jamal Toure

When it comes to some of the traditions, "jumping the broom" is the most popular, but there are others that can be incorporated into marriage ceremonies.

African people, specifically Gullah Geechee people, have always valued marriage and love. In Kemet (ancient Egypt), an African pharaoh wrote a love poem to his wife, the great queen As soon as Reconstruction began in the United States, Africans immediately sought to solemnize their bonds. They realized that the greatest institution for their growth, success, and advancement was the "family," and marriage was a key component.

Annie Bell Walters of Hilton Head Island, SC provided advice to strengthen the bonds of your marriage with your spouse so that you can build family and community. Ceremonies help in the remembrance and maintenance of the vows.

The African Spirit or Ancestor Invocation

For some Gullah Geechee people in Savannah, GA, and in Riceboro, GA, at Geechee Kunda, they have incorporated the African Spirit of Day Clean: The African Soul into their wedding ceremonies and renewal of vows ceremonies. An ancestral reflection is made during the ceremony. The spirit then invokes the time-honored tradition of marriage, love, and how they must use this as a part of the foundation of the marriage as they go through. Remembrance and words of the couple's family members or someone important to them are shared to let them know how both are blessed to have each other

Libation

Libation is done at weddings with the ancient practice of pouring out of water, alcohol, or black strap molasses. Libation is traditionally poured in remembrance of the Creator who has sanctioned the love and marriage. Libation is poured to remember and honor family members who have passed on. It acknowledges the couple and the others at the marriage who are important to the family unit The libation will honor the fruits of the marriage - the children who are gained through blood or the journey of life, those already born and those to come in the future. The libation provides an opportunity for acknowledgement, recognition, reflection, wisdom, and insight to be imparted to the couple.In the ceremony, the couple may leave an open seat to honor a parent who has passed away.

The 4 Elements of Love and Marriage

Honey, Cayenne, Lemon, and Vinegar are infused in the ceremony. The elements represent the experiences of life that will be experienced during the marriage. The husband and wife will taste the honey, symbolic of the sweetness that will be experienced in the marriage. Cayenne or red pepper is tasted to symbolize the passion or hotness of marriage and love. Lemon is tasted to let the spouses know that tartness or sour times will come, but the sweetness of their love will change the tart or sour moments for the better Vinegar is tasted for the bitter It will appear during life, but it will be conquered based on the strength of their union of love

Nigerian Money Spray

Originating with Yoruba and Ibo people in Nigeria, they spray money to symbolize a showering of happiness, good fortune, love for the couple, and to financially help them start their new life together. The spouses are brought in dancing behind the wedding party The wedding attendees go up to the spouses, putting the money on their forehead or casting it out at the spouse or spouses. The money is collected and put aside for the couple for them to start their life as one.