Dance Preview: the Secret Language of Women

The ancient language of Nüshu, (“women’s writing”), was exclusively created in Hunan’s Jiangyong County 400 years ago. Guarded from men, Nüshu was a unique means of communication used between women to pass on poems, writings and stories via refined embroideries, artworks or weaving.

In those traditional times, when Chinese women were not allowed to go to school, Nüshu served as the language of education and a written script for peasant women in Jiangyong. Many Nüshu works have been destroyed over the centuries, and that has left an aura of mystique surrounding the language.

Inspired by this fascinating writing, as well as the works of two contemporary Hong Kong female writers, Xi Xi and Wong Bik-wan, Helan Lai, the acclaimed choreographer of Hong Kong’s City Contemporary Dance Company, exposes the subtle emotions and psychological struggles of women from both modern and ancient times in the dance Her Story. Divided into five movements, the dance not only explores the love and desire between men and women, but also depicts the friendship and fierce violence between women. Additionally, in the fourth part, You, the par de dues between two females boldly and deliberately presents the unknown intimate bonds between women in the feudal age.

Also, listen out for the vocalist singing on the music for the They and We section. He Jung was raised to use Nüshu and wrote an account of her bitter life experiences in Nüshu on her fan. He Jung passed away a few months after recording her vocals for Her Story. The singing might not be considered “beautiful,” but it definitely adds spice to the dance.

Considering the position of women in today’s society, choreographer Lai says “I think we are much more liberated than our mothers and grandmothers, but sometimes you don’t realize you want to conform to the expectations of society, which, I think, is still dominated by men.” Lai laughs and adds, “It’s very important for women to have a sense of themselves, and to try to express themselves.”

Her Story will be performed by CCDC from Mar 3-5 at the NCPA (6655 0000). Tickets at 6417 7845.