Women in the modern era often feel the need to seclude themselves in a bubble of femininity, surrounded by their peers, in a place that not only provides them with security but also encourages their growth. While hostility toward the female gender is not a new concept, the degree to which women feel threatened in other worlds remains surprising.
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- Chinese Women Invented This Secret Language 400 Years Ago and Men Had No Idea
- Nushu was a safe space for women 400 years ago
Chinese Women Invented This Secret Language 400 Years Ago and Men Had No Idea
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To create this bubble in the 21st century, women strive to connect to the internet and provide shelter to those who need support, whether they are battered workers or housewives undergoing daily trials.
400 years ago, women invented a secret script to communicate and inspire hope among their families. Nushu, a secret Chinese language, was born among the women of the country that the men did not understand to give each other hope.
The script originated in China’s Hunan province to help peasants in remote villages deal with conditions where their feet were bound and confined to their rooms. Initially, the characters in the script were rubbed on the ground with wok ashes, using twigs and tree branches found nearby.
Later, writing found space on fans, or was flattered on handkerchiefs as embroidery, and even evolved into poetry. Although writing originated in China, most Chinese are not aware of its existence in modern times.
Nushu was a safe space for women 400 years ago
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Filmmaker Violet du Feng told the BBC: “In literature, there are very few records of women’s lives, existences and experiences, and I didn’t grow up to know any of that; I didn’t know anything about Nushu and felt I should have.”
However, Du Feng points out that today women are rediscovering the hidden script and finding inspiration in the language. Nushu is a space that allows women to trust each other without social barriers blocking their way. It allows women to be vulnerable with each other, share their struggles and challenges, and come together to build a space for their own sisterhood.
While the Nushu, in China, is now preserved as a cultural artifact, it meant much more to its practitioners. Even today, the use of a secret script between women is of utmost importance. While for museums it is art, for practitioners who used writing 400 years ago, it was a channel for their rebellious instinct. It was a space that needed to be protected and a tool for the discouraged and oppressed.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn