Naxi Dongba (na²¹ɕi³³ to³³ba²¹, Nakhi Tomba)

Naxi Dongba is the last remaining hieroglyphic script in the world. It is used by the Naxi people of China to write the Naxi language, which is a member of the Tibeto-Burman family of languages. The Naxi script is also known as Geba, after its inventor, the Naxi elder Geba Dongba. The Naxi script is an ideographic system, meaning that each character represents an idea, rather than a sound. There are over 1,000 characters in the Naxi script, which are divided into four main categories: pictographs, ideographs, phonetic symbols, and punctuation marks. Pictographs are characters that represent concrete objects, such as people, animals, plants, and buildings. Ideographs are characters that represent abstract concepts, such as love, anger, and sadness. Phonetic symbols are characters that represent the sounds of the Naxi language. Punctuation marks are used to indicate the end of a sentence or to separate different parts of a sentence. The Naxi script is written from left to right. Each character is written in one of three orientations: horizontal, vertical, or oblique. The orientation of a character is determined by its position in a word or phrase. The Naxi script is not used widely outside of the Naxi community. However, it has been gaining popularity in recent years as a form of artistic expression. Naxi Dongba is used to write a variety of texts, including folktales, poems, and religious texts. If you're interested in learning more about the Naxi script, there are a few resources that can help you get started. The Naxi Language and Culture website offers a brief introduction to the script, as well as a downloadable Naxi Dongba font. The website also provides a list of helpful books and websites for further reading. The Naxi script is a fascinating example of a living hieroglyphic script. It is a unique window into the history and culture of the Naxi people.