ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Jiu Ge

Jiu ge is a Chinese word which means "nine songs" or "nine melodies." It is a kind of poetry that was written a long, long time ago in ancient China.

Imagine you are listening to your favorite songs. You like how the lyrics tell a story or express a feeling that you can relate to. Jiu ge is like that, but instead of being modern songs with instruments like guitars and drums, they are old poems that were sung with a certain melody.

Back in ancient China, people loved singing and dancing as a way to express their emotions and celebrate important events. Jiu ge were often sung during religious ceremonies, weddings, or even for entertainment.

Each jiu ge poem is made up of nine verses, which is why it's called "nine songs." The verses all have a similar structure and rhyme scheme, which makes them sound really pretty when sung aloud.

Some of the topics covered in jiu ge include nature, love, war, and politics. Some are happy and joyful, while others are sad or serious.

Overall, jiu ge is a beautiful part of Chinese culture that has been around for centuries. Although we don't sing them as much anymore, we can still read and appreciate their poetic beauty.