Threads of Memory: Nüshu Songs and the Language of Women
Dublin Core
Title
Threads of Memory: Nüshu Songs and the Language of Women
Subject
Nüshu
Women’s script
Oral tradition
Jiangyong, Hunan
Sound recordings
Description
This digital collection showcases the song materials of the world's only female-only script, Nüshu, primarily from Jiangyong, Hunan, China. The collection includes manuscripts of women's script, audio of songs and related historical documents, revealing the emotional expression and cultural heritage embedded in this script.
Creator
Shuwen Liu, University of Toronto, Faculty of Information
Publisher
University of Toronto iSchool Exhibit (Omeka)
Date
2025-04-01
Rights
All Rights Reserved
Relation
Based on original manuscripts and recordings curated by Dr. Luo Wanyi
Format
Text, Image/JPEG
Language
Eng
Type
Digital Collection
Coverage
Jiangyong, Hunan Province, China — Mid-20th Century
Collection Items
Nüshu Song
A traditional Nüshu farewell song sung before marriage, expressing sadness, gratitude, and sisterhood.
Official Government Record on the Preservation and History of Nüshu
This is an official document from the Jiangyong Government outlining the historical development, decline, and revitalization efforts of the Nüshu script. It details the cultural value of Nüshu, its listing as an intangible cultural heritage, and…
Crossing Gender Boundaries in China: Nüshu Narratives
This academic article analyzes Nüshu as a gendered form of literacy in Jiangyong. It explores the linguistic features, cultural functions, and social contexts of the script, positioning it as an alternative female authorship tradition. The article…