The Need to Preserve Culture

The Need to Preserve Culture

Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with an expert on Nushu, a unique written language created by women in southern China. Li Ailian, a passionate advocate for Nushu culture, shared her journey of understanding and preserving this remarkable language.

Li fondly recalls her childhood when she would watch the women in her family stitching and writing. They used green, white, and red threads to embroider on window frames and wrote characters on coarse fabric with a brush dipped in black ink. The strange, slanted characters were quite different from the modern Chinese characters that many are familiar with.

Nushu - A Unique Women's Language

Little did Li know that what she was witnessing was Nushu, the only written language in the world created by women, specifically for women. In a society where women's voices are often stifled, these letters and verses serve as their sound, preserving the emotions and thoughts of women.

Nushu originated in the rural area of Jiangyong in Hunan Province, where women have used local dialects for generations without access to formal education. It simplifies classical Chinese characters and dates back to the 13th century, though its origins may stretch even further back.

Despite its delicate appearance, each Nushu character carries profound meaning, with each character representing a syllable and written from top to bottom, right to left. As a child, Li noticed it not just on paper or fabric, but also on handkerchiefs, fans, and sashes.

Exploring Nushu Through Everyday Life

Li Ailian has pursued her passion for Nushu since becoming a mother. She recalls a moment when she was accepted into university; her father gifted her a cheongsam, a traditional Chinese dress inspired by the influential Song sisters, who played significant roles in 20th-century Chinese politics.

As time went on, Li worked in cultural journalism for over a decade, but Nushu always called to her. One day, after meeting He Jinghua, a Nushu preservationist, she decided to dedicate her life to women's culture. He instilled in her a passion and commitment that led Li to become her student and begin a systematic study of Nushu.

The Revival of Nushu

Nushu was recognized as part of China's National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2006. Today, there are numerous preservation programs for Nushu in Jiangyong, including museums, university courses, and digital archives. Li notes that they actively promote the integration of Nushu into modern life through book publications, exhibitions, and the development of creative cultural products.

Notably, there are currently fewer than 100 people who can read and write Nushu fluently, but more and more young people, both male and female, especially from universities and cultural organizations, are beginning to show interest in this language.

The Value of Nushu Today

Li believes that the strength of Nushu lies in its ability to foster a strong spirit among women. Nushu is not just a language; it serves as a bridge for women to build their identities and emotional support networks in restricted social spaces. It embodies a gentle form of resistance and solidarity.

Among the treasures of Nushu literature, Li particularly loves works like "The Tuesday Letter," books written by friends and family of brides on the third day after their wedding. This reflects the deep connections and affection among women. The poem "Nushu Song" is another notable piece that illustrates women's struggles against fate and their yearning for freedom.

Join the Nushu Journey

If you have the chance to embark on a journey through southern China from Hong Kong to Shanghai with Intrepid, you'll have the opportunity to visit the Nushu cultural heritage center in Zhangxia and meet Li Ailian, the guardian of this language. Here, you can learn about Nushu and even try your hand at writing it.

Nushu is not just a writing system; it is a vital medium for women's culture and spirit. Preserving Nushu means honoring the historical voices of women and ensuring that their legacy lives on. Li hopes that this language will not only be preserved but also integrated into modern life, serving as a bridge between the past and the future.