Mosuo Villages


The ancient and mysterious "Land of Grace Girls" - Lugu Lake is located at the junction of Sichuan
and Yunnan, 2,685 meters in altitude.

Around the lake, there is an ancient nationality - the Mosuo Nationality, a branch of the Naxi nationality with
a population of about 15,000, are the main ethnic group scattered in the lakeside villages. Up to now, the
Mosuo people retain the vestiges of matriarchal society.

The Mosuo wooden houses are built with square-edged timber in the style of " Jinganshi building ", also
called Mulengfang. An house is the basic social unite for Mosuo people. In every courtyard -- big or small
-- there is generally one room that stands out among the others: the grandmother's quarters. It is also
used for offering sacrifices to ancestors, discussing family matters, dining and receptions.

The only light in the room comes from a flame that burns in a coal-stove chamber, where an important stone is located. The stone represents the
entire family ancestry. It is believed that souls of past generations live in it and that the fire must stay lit year round to keep them warm. An
extinguished flame means that the family is declining. It is only when the flame is burning that the family can prosper.

The Mosuo women wear long hair tied into a bun and red, green and black garments and white folding skirts with colorful sashes tied round their
waists. Before 13 years old, they usually wear long gowns. After the initiation ceremony at the age 13, men wear trousers and women wear skirts.

Mosuo is the only place in China that still abides by a matriarchal society, in that women are the top leaders of its community's extensive families.
The people believe family members are descendants of the same woman.

There is no marriage. Men stay in the women's home as mates called 'Axia' and the intimate
relationship lasts as long as they like. Children are brought up by women, and use the surname of their
mothers. Families are composed of the members of the matrilineal kin. Women operate production and
management, and hold the principal position in the society, forming a modern day “woman's kingdom”,
which adds mystique to this place.