特别广播英语第 345 课：Getting Married in Morocco 情定摩洛哥

In Morocco, it used to be the norm for marriages to be arranged by one's parents; however, this is no longer the case. 以前在摩洛哥，子女的婚事都是由父母包办的；如今这种情形已不复存在。

Young Moroccans today merely need the blessing of their parents to marry whom they choose. 现在的摩洛哥青年男女仅仅需要得到父母的认可就可以同自己选择的对象共结连理。

For a young Moroccan couple, getting married is no staid affair. 对年轻的摩洛哥情侣而言，结婚并不会是件乏味的事。

Though some of the practices involved in traditional Moroccan wedding ceremonies have changed to reflect changes in society, the ceremony remains an extremely elaborate event. 尽管传统婚礼中的一些风俗习惯已经随着社会的变化而改变了，但是结婚仪式依旧是件极为精致繁复的大事。

The wedding ceremony can last between three and seven days. 结婚典礼会持续三到七天。

A team of chefs is employed to prepare meals before the wedding even begins, as is a group of women whose job it is to dress and make up the bride several times throughout the ceremony. 婚礼开始之前就会有厨师团来准备餐点，同时也会有一群妇女来负责在婚礼过程中为新娘的梳妆打扮。

The actual festivities begin simultaneously at the separate homes of the bride and groom. 实际的庆祝活动分别在新娘及新郎的家里同时开始。

These continue well into the night with feasting, music, and dancing. 庆祝在歌舞盛宴中一直持续到晚上。

Sometime after midnight, the groom, accompanied by his many guests, proceeds to the house of the bride. 午夜时分，新郎会由众多宾客簇拥着前去新娘家。

Upon his arrival, the bride and groom are hoisted into the air and paraded around on the shoulders of their guests. 到达之后，宾客列队将新婚男女扛在空中，绕场游行一番。

The bride will have changed her entire outfit at least three times by the following morning, after which time the couple leaves the party to consummate their union. 到第二天上午之前，新娘至少要换三次装束，之后两位新人便告别宴会，圆满结成连理。

The couple then spends the next few days visiting friends and relatives, displaying their gifts, and settling into their new home. 接下来几天，两人就拜访亲友，展示礼品，并迁入新居。