Oh, that's a tough question for me!
Today, let's talk about this mysterious Chinese character "傩", as well as the puppet opera closely related to it, and by the way, talk about the character named "傩送" in "Border City".
First of all, let's unveil the mystery of the word "傩". The correct pronunciation of the word is "nuó", not "tān" or "nán".
In ancient times, "Wu" was a ritual to ward off evil spirits and pray for good fortune by playing various gods, wearing masks, singing and dancing, and praying for good weather and abundant crops in the coming year.
This ritual has a long history in Chinese folklore and is an important part of ancient culture.
Next, let's talk about the puppet opera. Nu opera, as the name suggests, is a theatrical performance with the theme of "Nu".
It is a combination of song and dance, drama, rituals, and other elements, and the performers will wear a variety of peculiar masks to show the storyline through dance, rap, and other forms.
This form of theatre is particularly popular in southern China, especially in rural areas, where villagers organize to perform puppet opera during the Spring Festival or important festivals to celebrate the festivities.
Imagine the colorful masks, the rousing drums, and the performers' performances.
Let's talk about the send-off in "Border City". In this classic novel by Shen Congwen, the send-off is the sweetheart of the protagonist Cuicui. His name "傩送" means blessing and protection, which complements the rural style of Xiangxi in the novel.
Although the name "傩送" is not specifically pronounced in the novel, we can infer that the pronunciation of "傩送" should be "nuó sòng" based on the correct pronunciation of the character "nuó".
In the green mountains and green waters of Xiangxi, the love story between the send-off and Cuicui seems to be like the clear stream, pure and moving.
Whenever I read about their meeting at the water's edge, I always imagine the beautiful countryside and the innocent affection between them.
And the name "Send-off" seems to have become a symbol of love between them, implying protection and blessing.
Now, do you have a deeper understanding of the word "傩" and the culture associated with it?
Are you also attracted by the mystery and charm of the opera?
Also, does the beautiful love story in "Border City" also make you feel the tranquility and innocence of the countryside?
In short, although the word "傩" seems complicated, it contains rich cultural connotations behind it.
The send-off in the opera and "Border City" made us feel the charm of traditional Chinese culture and the simple customs of the countryside in Xiangxi.
Hopefully, this article will give you a deeper understanding of this mysterious Chinese character and related culture in a light-hearted and enjoyable read.