Chuyi Ke

Professor Zugnoni

UWP1

Nver Hui

Overview:

Nver Hui, also known as Tujia Valentines day, is a traditional festival for Tujia People located in

Enshi city, Hubei Province. It is held annually on the lunar 12th of July[1]. The legend of Nver Hui

was about an open-minded fathers accidental idea. In tradition, Nver Hui was mainly for Tujia

young girls and men to know each other by trading and singing. Today, the local government of

Enshi advertises Nver Hui all over China, takes of advantage of the internet, and combines

traditional performance and current popular dating ways to attract more young people to attend it

and improve the local economy and tourism.

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Legend of Nver Hui
3. Traditional of Nver Hui
4. Todays Nver Hui
5. Benefits of Nver Hui for Enshi

Introduction:

Nver Hui is a traditional festival for Tujia People located in Enshi city, Hubei Province. It is held

annually on lunar 12th July[1]. The main purpose of Nver Hui is to let young Tujia women and

men know each other and freely pursue their love. On that day, Tujia young women wear

traditional Tujia clothes and sell local foods on the street sides. Young men who fall in love with
women pretend to buy foods and find opportunities to chat with women and ask them on a date.

Nver Hui shows that Tujia young women and men bravely and freely pursue their marriage[2].

Legend of Nver Hui:

(This is a place where traditionally young Tujia girls and men held Nver Hui.)[10]

There are many legends of Nver Hui in Enshi. However, the most popular and famous legend is

about a fathers open-minded idea. A man called Xiangshi Xue went back to Enshi to worship

with him, and once, he brought his wife and daughters to Enshi to worship their ancestors. One

day, he accidentally allowed his daughters to go to the street independently and have a tour.

However, the mother of the daughters strongly objected and said, Unmarried women and men

walk and chat together on the street, which offends traditional etiquette and decency.[6]

However, Xiangshi refuted, I always admire women who can do business independently, dance,

sing, and have amplified lifestyles. Our daughters can take advantage to expand their horizon.

Meanwhile, there are some excellent business men, political men, and educators in Enshi. Our
daughter may find their husbands and lovers through this chance. After listening, his wife had

nothing to say. The next day, the lunar 12th of July, Xiangshis daughters were dressed up and

went outside. His daughters attracted many young men who asked them on a date[2].

This story was known by local young women and men. Therefore, after that day, many young

women imitated Xiangshis daughters to dress up and go out onto the street on lunar 12th July to

meet with men and fall in love. After many years, these actions gradually became a local custom

for Tujia people, which is called Nver Hui (women festival) to encourage women to freely

pursue their marriage[3].

(Tujia young women and men danced together to celebrate Nver Hui festival.)[10]

Traditional of Nver Hui:

Since Nver Hui became a traditional and significant festival for Tujia people, Tujia people

blended their own traditions and culture to celebrate this festival. Traditionally, on lunar 12th July,

young Tujia women wore gold and silvery jewelry and traditional Tujia clothes which had three

layers with patterns of flowers and animals. They went too far market places to trade and sell

things on the street sides. Young men wore Tujia clothes which were mainly white and wandered

on the street to spot their lovers while also finding women in which they were interested. Then,

they would pretend to buy things and purposely bargain with women[2].

During bargaining and chatting, young men and women would know r and become familiar with

each other. If they were both satisfied with each other, they would hang out and sing Tujia folk

songs together. Usually, young women asked men questions by singing folk songs, and men also

answered their questions by singing back. In general, young women would ask men about the

weather, their views, their interests and basic family backgrounds. Men had to respond

immediately and improvise lyrics to answer questions[3]. One of famous folk songs[12] for Tujia

women and men to further understand their backgrounds is Six Tastes of Tea. During folk

songs, Tujia women ask questions of mens backgrounds and try to know more about them, and

men answer questions and taste tea poured by Tujia women. After drinking one taste of tea, Tujia

men can ask one question and get one answer [4]. After six rounds, both women and men can

know each other further and can decide whether to continue to date.

Todays Nver Hui:

(A foreigner was attracted by the advertisement of Nver Hui and attended it.)[11]

(This is traditional Tujia Baishou dance.)[10]

Todays Nver Hui is totally different with the traditional Nver Hui. For instance, todays Nver

Hui blends traditional customs and contemporary elements of dating and technology to attract

more young people to attend it. Nowadays, the local government in Enshi advertises Tujia

culture and festivals all over China to preserve intangible heritage. People are attracted to this

special and unique traditional culture. In recent years, local Tujia people or people from other

countries and cities can register for Nver Hui dating online and participate in activities including

meeting more people and watching Tujia dancing and songs[3].

Specifically, on the morning of the lunar July 12th, in the morning, young women and men can

freely chat with people whom they have common interests. If women and men are both satisfied,

the men will invite women to go to the Tea house to drink tea and eat local food. They can chat

and get to know each other better. In the afternoon, some groups of young women stand in rows

on the square to sing folk songs. Men who fall in love with women can stand in front of them

and respond to them by singing romantic Tujia folk songs back to show their thoughts and love.

Around 6pm, there are traditional Tujia performances. Performers wearing traditional Tujia

clothes and vintage necklaces dance baishou and sing longchuan songs, which are Tujia

specialties. In the evening, people can enjoy the campfire and gather to chat with each other.

Women and men can dance, sing songs, and appreciate fireworks around the campfire[5].

Benefits of Nver Hui for Enshi:

(Visitors experienced unique Tujia traditions.)[11]

Combining traditions with modern elements of the internet and advertisement improves the local

economy and tourism. The local government advertises famous and national scenic spots and

festivals in Enshi. People from other cities, provinces, and countries have been attracted by the

special and unique traditional Tujia culture and scenes after seeing advertisement on buses and

TVs. In 2014, the Hubei Province Tourism Bureau announced that based on visitors and tourists

satisfaction, Enshi was ranked 5th for the best places for touring and visiting[7]. Many visitors

were satisfied with the Tujia culture and had unique experiences. According to 2015s statistics,

people who registered for Nver Hui online and visited Enshi increased to more than 20,000

visitors, compared to the last three years[8]. Many visitors were impressed by special Tujia culture
by watching Tujia baishou dance and comedies, listening to folk songs, and appreciating the

national valley and cave.

In the meantime, Nver Hui also stimulates and encourages the local economy. Nowadays, the

local government holds Nver Hui near the river, which is surrounded by Tea Houses, restaurants

and local products shops. Visitors not only can participate in Nver Hui and watch performances,

but can also buy some local products including tea and bacon for their friends and family and

enjoy local foods by eating at Tujia restaurants. In 2014, nearly 24 companies invested

approximately 26 million dollars to develop local industries, including the Tea industry, and

sponsor Nver Hui[9] by giving visitors free souvenirs such as postcards. In 2016, tea sales

increased by 8% compared to 2012[9]. Many visitors spent money in Enshi and were interested in

special Tujia products. Nver Hui plays an important role in promoting Enshi economic

development and advertising in Tujia culture.

 Work Cited

1.Overview of Enshi Nverhui in 2016, Chinatoday, 18 Aug 2016,

http://www.hubeitoday.com.cn/enshi/zhuantizixun/28996.html

2. Hong, Fang. A Review of Researches into Tujia Nationalitys Brocade Culture

since 1980s, NKI, 15 Jan 2007,

http://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTOTAL-ZNZX200701004.htm

3. Zhang, Xue. Tujia Nver Hui, nuerhui, 4 July 2013,

http://www.nuerhui.com/gyleh/201307/00000003.html

4.Zhiyou Peng. Enshi Traditional Folk Songs-six taste of Tea, Enshi News, 04 Dec 2014,

http://www.enshi.cn/20140508/ca308417.htm

5. 2016 Enshi Tujia daughter has perfect ending, Enshi News, 17 Aug 2016,

http://www.enshi.cn/20150717/ca344587.htm

6. Xie, Qinghua. The change of Nver Hui in Enshi Tujia and the Life World Women, NKI, 15

June 2015,

http://cdmd.cnki.com.cn/Article/CDMD-88901-1015439883.htm

7. Yue, Qing. Province Tourism Bureau issued a survey of visitors satisfaction, and Enshi is

ranked in the fifth place, Enshi daily, 06 Mar 2015,

 http://www.enshi.cn/20140508/ca313147.htm

8. Nver Hui in Enshi Attract more than 20,000 visitors, Sina, 15 Aug 2016,

http://news.sina.com.cn/o/2016-08-15/doc-ifxuxnpy9580833.shtml

9. Jiangyun, Chang. The Scoial Value of Nver Hui in Enshi, Hubei News, 11 Aug

2016,

http://news.hbtv.com.cn/p/211036.html

10. Nver Hui: Romantic sense, Enshi News, 7 Sep 2015,

http://www.enshi.cn/20150717/ca326101.htm

11. Never Hui, Enshi News, 726Aug 2012,

http://www.enshi.cn/20120719/ca250457.htm

12. Shuming, Lei. Tujia Nver Hui, Baidu Music, 14 Aug 2015,

http://music.baidu.com/song/122162629