英语沙龙：世界各地婚俗（一）

Wedding custom around the world (1)

Early African American：Jumping the Broom In the times of slavery in this country, African American couples were not allowed to formally marry and live together. To make a public declaration of their love and commitment, a man and woman jumped over a broom into matrimony, to the beat of drums. （The broom has long held significant meaning for the various Africans, symbolizing¹ the start of home-making for the newlywed couple. In Southern Africa, the day after the wedding, the bride assisted the other women in the family in sweeping² the courtyard, indicating her dutiful willingness to help her in-laws with housework till the newlyweds could move to their new home. ） Some African-American couples today are choosing to include this symbolic³ rite⁴ in their wedding ceremony.

世界各地婚俗（一）

早期非洲裔美国人：跳扫帚 在美国的黑奴时代, 黑人男女是不允许正式结婚生活在一起的。为了向世人宣布他们的爱情和婚约, 一对黑人男女和着鼓声的节奏, 一起跳过一把扫帚。（扫帚对各种非洲人长期来都具有很重要的意义, 因为它意味着新婚夫妇组成家庭的开始。在南部非洲, 新娘在婚后的第一天要帮助夫家的其他女性清扫院子, 以此表明在住进自己的新家前, 她愿意尽职地帮助丈夫的家人承担家务劳动。）直至今日, 一些美国黑人还在他们的婚礼上举行这种象征性的仪式。

1 symbolizing   

v.象征，作为…的象征( symbolize的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• This symbol later evolved into a common hieroglyphic symbolizing victory. 这幕场景后来逐渐演化为象征胜利的普通象形文字。 来自时文部分
• Mooncakes reunion, is symbolizing the Mid-Autumn festival will feed. 月饼象征着团圆，是中秋佳节必食之品。 来自互联网

2 sweeping   

adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的

参考例句：

• The citizens voted for sweeping reforms.公民投票支持全面的改革。
• Can you hear the wind sweeping through the branches?你能听到风掠过树枝的声音吗？

3 symbolic   

adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的

参考例句：

• It is symbolic of the fighting spirit of modern womanhood.它象征着现代妇女的战斗精神。
• The Christian ceremony of baptism is a symbolic act.基督教的洗礼仪式是一种象征性的做法。

4 rite   

n.典礼，惯例，习俗

参考例句：

• This festival descends from a religious rite.这个节日起源于宗教仪式。
• Most traditional societies have transition rites at puberty.大多数传统社会都为青春期的孩子举行成人礼。