Saving the Nushu
Article   by Jia Tianli
2005.1
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   Chinese experts believe the Nushu can be spared extinction, but the following measures must be taken: Conduct a Nushu training course - the main content of the program will be Nushu calligraphy, artwork and designs -- in the region in which Nushu originated. This will ensure a group of young people, who will become good at Nushu, will be trained. Their works will be displayed during exhibitions. They will sing, dance and perform in plays for audiences. When visiting scholars, from home and abroad, visit the course participants, the guests will be given opportunities to chat with the teachers and the students.
    In the activity center, competitions can be held during the period when traditional activities are carried out, such as the first day of May of the lunar year. The competitions consist of individual events and versatile events.
    The individual events would include:
    1) Nushu songs. There would not be a restriction on the number of performers. The performances could involve solos, antiphonal singing or choruses, but the lyrics would have to be written by the performers.
   
2) Nushu calligraphy. The characters could be written on different materials, such as paper, books, silk and fans. Generally, however, they will be written on Xuan paper with brushes.
   
3) Nushu artworks. The characters are brocaded on cloth handkerchiefs with colorful silk thread. They can also be woven on belts or quilts. Some of the more successful artworks will include paintings with Nushu poems.
    4) Nushu writings. The competitors would present their best poems, essays and short stories, written in Nushu, during the competitions.
    The versatile events would require the participants to sing and dance, and write and design. It is better if a Nushu girl can display her four skills in one performance.
   
The competitions’ judges would be experts, including academics, in ‘ushu culture, outstanding women from all walks of life and local authorities. Points for their performances will determine the top 10 performers. The other participants would receive certificate and some money. The sum of money shouldnÕt be too small, otherwise the women won’t be motivated to learn and practice Nushu. Also, there might not be an incentive for the women to participate in the competitions.
    Such competitions would surely enhance the development of the Nushu  culture. The time is ripe for a Nushu newspaper in Jiangyong County.
    The newspaper will be published twice a month. It will be written completely in Nushu. Its sources will mainly include experts, including academics, in the Nushu culture, and the local women who can use Nushu.
    To develop products related to Nushu culture, people can establish Nushu artwork factories and design clothes, hats and shoes, with Nushu characters, open Nushu clothing factories, to make special clothes with the local cloth and wax painting techniques. We can also use the Nushu patterns in advertisements of women’s products.