Interpretation of Daba Script: Gemu from Wujiao Village

Abstract

Daba calendars are the only written texts of Dabaism discovered so far. Some studies have been discontinuously conducted on this topic since the first report on this script in 1940. However, some unclear and obscure hermeneutic points of Daba script have still to be investigated in-depth. In this paper, I present an interpretation of a Daba calendar based on my original field work data. This Daba calendar, entitled "Gemu", is from Wūjiǎo ( 屋脚 ) Village. It is relatively old, showing a more archaic version of Daba calendars if compared with other ones and with the classification proposed in Song (2003). The present study aims to expand our knowledge of Daba script and of the context in which it was and is still used. Further on, this paper can contribute in establishing a philological foundation for further researches on Daba script, originating possibly related comparative studies.