“Man-ee,” L says as she examines the 5 Yuan note.
She points at Mao Zedong’s purple face, “Shu Shu!” she claims.
Like any young Chinese woman is respectfully called ayi or aunt by a child, a young man is uncle –
shu shu.
Published by natasha devalia
Author Poetry and Art books: ‘Tears and Grape Seeds’ 2025, ‘one touch of the rope’, 2024 and ‘Unseen Veins’, 2023
Zambian of South Asian descent, living in Thailand.
I write poetry, perform, and I’m currently an MFA (painting) student. The themes of my art whether expressed through movement, poetry, painting or as interdisciplinary forms include identity, belonging, mental health and family life.
View all posts by natasha devalia
“Man-ee,” L says as she examines the 5 Yuan note.
Natasha Devalia 
It won’t be long before she knows exactly who he is. One of these days, she may just ask why his face is on every note!
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Did she say that because she thought he looked like Shu Shu driver Liu?
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She said it because he is a man. They are in a phase of distinguishing “boy / girl, man / woman.” But in Chinese it’s at a more practical stage because they call women around them, in the street, shops,elevator ayi, and the young men shu shu.
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