Nu People's Gudu Wine

Nu People's Gudu Wine

　　Nu People's Gudu Wine is a specialty of Gongshan County in the Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. The brewing method of Nu Gudu Wine is largely similar to the Qiqi Wine of the Qiang people in its first step — that is, turning cornmeal into wine. Its distinctive feature lies in how it is consumed: first, a portion of the wine and lees is poured from the jar into a basin, an appropriate amount of boiling water is added, and then some honey or sugar is stirred in, the dregs are filtered out, and the liquid is drunk.

　　The Nu people refer to themselves as "Nusu," "A'nu," and "A'long." They have a population of 27,123. They are mainly distributed in Lushui, Fugong, Gongshan, and Lanping counties in the Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, as well as in Weixi County of the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and Zayü County of the Tibet Autonomous Region. They live together in mixed communities with other ethnic groups such as the Lisu, Derung, Tibetan, Bai, Han, and Naxi.

　　The Nu people are accustomed to eating two meals a day. Their staple food is predominantly corn. The ways of consuming corn have evolved from popcorn to boiled or stewed Gudu Rice (similar to a thick cornmeal porridge), corn congee, corn cakes, and the most distinctive stone slab cakes. A small number of Nu people who follow the Bon religion also eat tsampa with butter.

　　The Nu people enjoy drinking alcohol and are also skilled at brewing. The main types of alcohol among the Nu include Gudu Wine, turbid wine, and sorghum wine.

　　Gudu Wine is brewed using Gudu Rice (made from cornmeal and buckwheat flour, resembling rice cake). The process involves cooling the Gudu Rice, mixing it with distiller’s yeast, and placing it in a bamboo basket to ferment. After a few days, it begins to emit an alcoholic aroma or seep out liquid, which is then poured into a jar and sealed for over ten days until it’s ready. When drinking, it is first filtered through a strainer, then diluted with a bit of cold water and mixed with a little honey or sweetener. After resting for a few minutes, it can be consumed. This wine is sweet, mellow, and rich — considered a premium brew among the Nu people. It not only quenches thirst but also has nourishing and health-enhancing effects.

　　Alcohol is both a daily beverage and an essential element of hospitality for the Nu people. When distinguished guests arrive, they are always treated with wine. Their usual way of drinking is to chat while sipping. In lively and cheerful gatherings, regardless of age or gender, if someone is regarded as a close friend, they will be invited to drink “Tongxin Wine” (Wine of the Same Heart). Tongxin Wine isn’t a type of wine, but a way of drinking: two people press their cheeks together, mouths touching, one arm around the other’s shoulder, both holding the same wine bowl, and they drink together while tilting their heads back and finishing in one go. In such an emotionally charged setting, even those who normally never drink find it hard to refuse. Because only by drinking this Tongxin Wine can you be considered a true friend of the Nu family.